Abstract: A vehicular drive unit having a combustion engine, a motor-generator for converting electric energy coming from a battery into mechanical energy to output the converted mechanical energy or for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to store the converted electrical energy in the battery, and a planetary gear including at least three rotary elements. The vehicular drive unit further includes a continuously variable transmission for changing the revolution of an input member continuously variably to output the changed revolution to the drive wheels of the vehicle. The planetary gear has a first rotary element connected to the output shaft of the combustion engine, a secondary element acting in reaction against the first rotary element and connected to the motor-generator, and a third rotary element connected to the input member of the continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: A speed change control system for use in an automatic transmission includes a one-way clutch to be locked and to retain a rotary element in a speed change mechanism for establishing a predetermined gear stage and an engine braking frictional engagement element arrayed in parallel with the one-way clutch and adapted to retain the rotary element, thereby establishing the desired gear stage. The speed change control system further includes a throttle opening detector for detecting the stroke of depression of the accelerator pedal of a vehicle, a downshift detector for detecting a shift to a desired gear stage and an apply pressure controller for controlling the apply pressure of the engine braking frictional engagement element. A speed change decision is made to determine whether a speed change is ended for a predetermined time period, if the throttle opening is in a predetermined region and if the detected shift is a downshift to the desired gear stage.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is switchable between the low and high modes by changing engagement between two clutches. A sensor shoe which moves in association with a movable sheave of a primary pulley is provided with an indent and a protrusion formed at different locations on the sensor shoe. In addition, indents are formed on a spool of a low-high control valve. An interlock rod is provided between the sensor shoe and the low-high control valve. In a predetermined pulley-ratio region in the low and high modes, for example, on a low pulley-ratio side, as the movable sheave moves to the O/D side a base end of the interlock rod rides on the upper surface of the sensor shoe while its opposite end is engaged within one of the indents, thus mechanically locking the low-high control valve. In this way, switching between the low and high modes due to selective engagement of the low and high clutches can be inhibited.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has springs, which urge the movable sheaves of primary-side and secondary-side pulleys, set to achieve a pulley ratio r.sub.1 approximate to or within a predetermined range of a neutral pulley ratio r.sub.N so that a vehicle takeoff response delay is eliminated when the driver shifts the transmission from a vehicle stop range (the P or N range) to the drive range (D range). This setting prevents a vehicle from moving backward when the driver shifts from the vehicle stop range to the D range immediately after starting the engine. The pulley ratio r.sub.1 can be achieved either before or after the minimum required fluid pressure is supplied.

Abstract: In a CVT transmission with planetary gear operation in forward, zero and reverse directions, reduction in CVT secondary/primary pulley ratio is inhibited when the pulley ratio is less than a set pulley ratio which is higher than the pulley ratio producing zero output rotation (a gear-neutral state). In a ratio region below the set pulley ratio, a movable sheave of a primary pulley is moved to an O/D side. The amount of the movement is detected by a sensor shoe (detecting means) which is associated with the movable sheave. A ratio sensing valve (inhibition means) associated with the sensor shoe, in turn, clogs a port, halting a hydraulic pressure supplied by a primary regulator valve. As a result, no hydraulic pressure is supplied to the second hydraulic chamber by way of a down-shift relief valve, a manual valve or a low-high control valve, inhibiting a down shift.

Abstract: A shift device includes a shift lever with an operating knob provided on the top thereof, a gate plate that defines shift patterns for an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode, and a first rotational center shaft and a second rotational center shaft for allowing the shift lever to be rotated in a front-to-rear direction and in a right-to-left direction, respectively, in accordance with the shift pattern of the gate plate. The gate plate is disposed apart from the knob of the shift lever, with the rotational center shafts passing between the gate plate and the knob. The length of the shift lever can be reduced so as to achieve a short stroke and a large shift lever pivot angle.

Abstract: A drive system provides a smooth start for a vehicle and converts excess kinetic energy accompanying the difference in speed between the engine and the drive wheels occurring during starting into electrical energy for storage in a battery. The drive system includes a gearbox having at least a first gear element connected to an output shaft of an engine, a second gear element connected to a drive wheel of a vehicle and a third gear element for, by applying a braking torque to the third gear element, reducing the speed of rotation input from the first gear element and outputting it to the second gear element. An engaging element provides selective connection to any of the gear elements for mechanically connecting the output shaft of the engine to the drive wheel.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system includes a belt type continuously variable transmission unit which, in turn, is composed of a primary pulley and a secondary pulley wherein the torque transmitting direction is switched by torque circulation in changeover between forward and reverse travel. When a low mode is selected in a D range, a somewhat higher hydraulic pressure from a regulator valve is supplied, through a manual valve, to a secondary hydraulic servo, which moves one sheave of the secondary pulley, and a somewhat lower hydraulic pressure from a ratio control valve is supplied to a primary hydraulic servo which moves one sheave of the primary pulley. When the D range is switched to R range by the manual valve, the supplies of the above hydraulic pressures are reversed. With this arrangement, the relative axial forces on the pulleys are changed in switching between forward and reverse travel.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission including a fluid transmission unit and a lockup clutch arranged in the fluid transmission unit. A running state sensor(s) detects the running state of the vehicle and outputs signals to an electronic control unit for deciding a shift and outputting a shift signal and for deciding lockup clutch ON/OFF and outputting a lockup ON/OFF signal. A hydraulic control unit selectively actuates a plurality of solenoid valves, in response to the output signals from the electronic control unit, to selectively apply/release a plurality of frictional engagement elements, to establish a new gear stage, and the lockup clutch. The electronic control unit (ECU) has stored in memory therein, a lockup diagram having a first hysteresis region defined by a lockup OFF line and a first lockup ON line, and a second hysteresis region defined by a second lockup ON line formed in the first hysteresis region and the first lockup ON line.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system includes a belt type continuously variable transmission unit (CVT) wherein the direction of torque transmission is switched by torque circulation between a low mode and a high mode accompanied by a change in the axial forces on the pulleys of the CVT. In the Low mode of the D range, a comparatively high hydraulic pressure from a regulator valve is supplied to a Low clutch hydraulic servo via a low-high shifting valve and to a secondary hydraulic servo. In addition, a comparatively low hydraulic pressure from a ratio control valve is supplied to a primary hydraulic servo. These oil pressure feeds are reversed by the switching of the low-high shifting valve.

Abstract: A belt type continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a planetary gear unit are combined in a continuously variable transmission system for an automobile to deliver an output from the output shaft in the normal and reverse directions with a neutral position therebetween. A control mechanism with a hydraulic circuit controls hydraulic pressure of primary and secondary hydraulic servos for controlling axial forces applied to respective primary and secondary pulleys of the belt type continuously variable transmission. When an axial force difference is produced between the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, the belt type continuously variable transmission changes its speed corresponding to a torque transmission direction and normal and reverse rotation directions.

Abstract: A lockup clutch of an automatic transmission is controlled so that no shock is produced while the vehicle is running within a predetermined gear stage. The automatic transmission includes a fluid coupling; a lockup clutch provided in the fluid coupling; a shift selector for selecting a range; a vehicle speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed, and a throttle opening sensor for detecting throttle opening. A control unit determines a gear stage in accordance with the selected range, the vehicle speed and the throttle opening, decides a shift, produces a shifting output signal, decides ON or OFF for the lockup clutch in accordance with the selected range, the vehicle speed and the throttle opening, and produces a lockup ON/OFF output signal. An oil pressure circuit actuates solenoid valves in response to the shifting output signal and the lockup ON/OFF output signal of the control unit.

Abstract: In order to control the engine output timing always properly irrespective of the aging of an automatic transmission, the present invention provides a shift control system for a vehicular automatic transmission, which system comprises: release end detecting means for detecting the release end of a frictional engagement element for a higher gear stage, at a shifting time from higher to lower gear stages; synchronism detecting means for detecting the synchronism between an engine R.P.M. and a rotating element in the automatic transmission at the lower gear stage; and engine output control means for controlling the output of the engine. The aforementioned engine output control means starts the rise control of the engine output, when the release end of the frictional engagement element for the higher gear stage is detected by the release end detecting means, and ends the rise control of the aforementioned engine output when the synchronism between the engine R.P.M.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission according to the present invention, a coast brake cutoff valve is arranged between a range-pressure-producing manual valve and shift valves and, when changed over, selectively feeds oil to hydraulic engine brake servomotors. An engine brake solenoid valve is on/off controlled by a shifting output signal from a CPU, whereby the coast brake cutoff valve is selectively changed over. A lockout valve is arranged between the coast brake cutoff valve and the manual valve and is connected to one of shifting solenoid valves. The automatic transmission can therefore be operated without trouble even when an electrical problem occurs in the shifting solenoid valves and/or the engine brake solenoid valve.

Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission, comprising a shift unit for selecting by manipulating a shift lever an automatic shift mode, in which a gear stage is determined on the basis of a running state of a vehicle, and a manual shift mode in which a gear state is determined from an output signal based on the manipulation.

Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission, includes: a plurality of frictional engagement elements adapted to be hydraulically engaged for setting a plurality of gear stages; and a shift lever for switching between an automatic mode, in which a gear stage is set on the basis of the running state of a vehicle, and a manual mode in which a gear stage is selected by manipulating the shift lever. A shift detector detects that a gear stage should be selected for the shift in the manual mode state and a shift start timing adjuster, if the shift in the manual mode state is detected, the switching rate of the frictional engagement elements which are switched for executing the detected shift.

Abstract: In a linkage through which a manual selector is connected to a manual valve are a power unit and a connecting/disconnecting mechanism. In "P", "R", and "N", the connecting/disconnecting mechanism is connected and the power unit is made inoperative, whereby a movement of the manual selector is mechanically transmitted directly to the manual valve. In other shifts including manual shifts, the connecting/disconnecting mechanism is disconnected and the manual valve is operated directly by the power unit in accordance with positions of the selector lever.

Abstract: A shifter with a manual speed selecting mechanism for a vehicular automatic transmission. The shifter includes a stationary member mounted on a vehicle body; a rocking retainer supported in a manner to rock on a first axis extending through and fixed by the stationary member, for transmitting motion of a shift lever to the automatic transmission. The shift lever is supported for rotation on the first axis and on a second axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis, and is brought into and out of engagement with the rocking retainer when rotated on the second axis. A switch is provided for detecting the position of the shift lever. A lock plate is supported on the rocking retainer for bringing the rocking retainer into and out of engagement with the stationary member when actuated by the rotation of the shift lever on the second axis.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for a vehicle a shift pattern, restricting the movement of a shift lever, including at least an H-shaped portion. When the shift lever has been moved to any shift position of the pattern, a range and a gear ratio which corresponds to the shift position are selected. When the shift lever is released from the shift position in the lowest stage, the gearing is shifted to the ratio which is higher than the lowest stage by one step. When the shift lever is released from the shift position in the highest stage, the gearing is shifted to the ratio which is lower than the maximum stage by one step. When the shift lever is moved to a position intermediate the shift positions, the range and the gear ratio which correspond to the shift position before the movement can be maintained or the automatic transmission range can be established.

Abstract: This invention relates to a belt driven continuously variable transmission having a pressure regulating cam mechanism giving an axial force corresponding to the transmission torque to a pulley and preventing too much belt pressing force. A retainer is fixed on a boss section of a stationary sheave and a spring made of multiple disc springs is situated on the outer surface of a boss section of a movable sheave for contact the retainer. A spring apparatus is composed of the retainer and the spring. Accordingly, at the decelerating range with large shifting ratio, besides the axial force made by the pressure regulating cam mechanism, the spring apparatus generates pressing force by contacting the retainer and maintains the belt holding force. When the shifting ratio is small, the spring returns to its natural length and disengages from the retainer.