Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an electro-magnetic particle clutch is provided. The apparatus includes first through third sensors, a memory, first through fourth calculating devices, first through third determining devices and a controller. The first sensor detects a throttle opening and outputs a first detected signal. The second sensor detects an actual engine revolution speed and outputs a second detected signal. The first calculating device calculates an engine torque in accordance with a first relationship and outputs a first calculated signal. The second calculating device calculates a tentative desired revolution speed and outputs a second calculated signal. The third sensor detects at least one of a plurality conditions in which the vehicle begins moving and outputs at least one of a plurality of detected signals. The first determining device determines a total compensation value in accordance with a third relationship and outputs a first determined signal.

Abstract: A speed ratio control system for a continuously variable transmission is provided, wherein an oil flowrate to a hydraulic servo of an input or an output V-shaped pulley device is varied by a flow control valve, so that a speed ratio between the input and the output sides can be continuously changed. The system determines a deviation between a target value and a measured value and corrects the measured value in accordance with at least the characteristics of the flow control valve, so that the deviation and a rate of change per unit time of the speed ratio, or the deviation and a rate of change per unit time of a rotational speed of the input or output pulleys, will have a linear relationship over the entire area of control. This system avoids poor feedback gain because of the non-linearity of the characteristics of the flow control valve. Thus, the feedback gain is acceptable over the entire area of control of the continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus controls an actual drive force of an automotive vehicle equipped with a continuously variable transmission for transmitting an output of an engine to drive wheels. The apparatus includes an output detector for detecting a currently required output of the vehicle; a speed detector for detecting a current speed of the vehicle; a first device for determining a target drive force of the vehicle based on the detected currently required output and the detected current speed of the vehicle, and according to a predetermined relation among the target drive force, the currently required output and the current speed of the vehicle; and a second device for determining the actual drive force of the vehicle. An adjusting device compares the determined target drive force with the determined actual drive force and controls the output of the engine and/or a speed ratio of the transmission, so that the actual drive force of the vehicle coincides with the determined target drive force.

Abstract: A belt type continuously valiable transmission (CVT) comprises a pair of input pulleys, a pair of output pulleys and a belt trained over input and output pulleys to transmit power. Each pair of the pulleys has a hydraulic cylinder for pressing the pulleys against the belt. A line pressure used in one cylinder is controlled by adjusting an electric pressure regulating valve. A correction value is calculated which corresponds to the square of the rotational speed of the hydraulic cylinder to which line pressure is supplied. The value of control signal of the pressure regulating valve is corrected in accordance with the correction value, so that the error of the line pressure due to a centrifugal force is compensated for.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission system for vehicles enables the engine speed under a high torque to be as small as possible, while ameliorating undesirable vibrations and/or noise in a passenger compartment. The transmission system includes a device for detecting noise and/or vibrations and a comparative device for comparing the actual noise and/or vibrations with predetermined acceptable noise and vibration levels.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus of controlling an electromagnetic clutch incorporated in a power transmission system of a vehicle to transmit an output of an engine to the drive wheels of the vehicle is disclosed. An amount of electric current applied to the clutch is regulated to control an engaging action of said electromagnetic clutch, based on either a variation in rotating speed or torque of an output shaft of the electromagnetic clutch, or based on the frequency or number of variations per unit time in rotating speed or torque of the output shaft, as compared with the frequency or number of ignitions or combustions per unit time of the engine. In this way a variation in output torque of the engine is absorbed by the electromagnetic clutch for improved drivability, while a transmission power loss in the clutch is kept to a minimum for maximum fuel economy.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use in a motor vehicle. A desired engine speed is defined as a nearby engine speed which produces a minimum specific fuel consumption when the engine generates a horsepower requirement as a function of either accelerator or throttle position. The desired engine speed is calculated in accordance with either the detected accelerator stroke or the detected throttle position and vehicle speed. The continuously variable transmission is feedback controlled such that an actual engine speed equals the calculated desired engine speed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a plurality of engine rotational speeds are detected at predetermined timings for every firing stroke in one cylinder of the engine, and an engine speed variation is calculated as a variation between the square of one of the engine rotational speed and the square of another of the engine rotational speed. A process is performed upon the sequence of the engine speed variations, thus determining an engine combustion state by the processed result.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for controlling a line pressure utilized in a continuously variable transmission. The apparatus controls the amount of line pressure supplied to be as small as possible without resulting in any slippage between a belt member which spans the pulleys. The apparatus monitors torque on the input shaft and output shaft to determine if any slippage is occurring.

Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus for controlling a line pressure utilized in a continuously variable transmission. The apparatus controls the amount of line pressure supplied to be as small as possible without resulting in any slippage between a belt member which spans the pulleys. The apparatus monitors torque on the input shaft and output shaft to determine if any slippage is occurring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an electromagnetic clutch which is incorporated in a power transmission system of a vehicle to transmit an output of an engine to drive wheels, and which includes a solenoid to be energized for an engaging action of the electromagnetic clutch to transmit a torque of the engine to the drive wheels, the torque to be transmitted by the clutch being varied as a function of an electric current to energize the solenoid.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission. A hydraulic pressure, which is supplied to a cylinder of an output disc, is controlled to be a minimum value while obtaining a necessary torque to transfer between a belt and discs.

Abstract: A control apparatus for use of a continuously variable transmission. The apparatus controls a rate of changing a RPM ratio in a continuously variable transmission connected to the engine. The transmission has a driving pulley mounted on an input shaft a driven pulley mounted on an output shaft, and an endless belt member spanning the pulleys so that an effective diameter of the pulleys can be varied at different rates with regard to each other so that different speed ratios can be obtained. When a prompt acceleration of a vehicle is required by an operator, a flow control device drains an amount of oil in a hydraulic cylinder of the driving pulley within a first prescribed time period. During a second prescribed time period after the first prescribed time period elapses, a second control device stops the draining of oil in the hydraulic cylinder, thereby maintaining a RPM ratio in a continuously variable transmission to the value at the time when the first prescribed time period elapses.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission means for vehicles which enables the engine speed under a high torque to be as small as possible, while ameliorating undesirable noise in a passenger compartment. The transmission means includes a device for detecting a noise and a comparator device for comparing the actual booming noise with a predetermined allowable noise level.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a standard deviation of combustion variations generated for every firing stroke of at least one cylinder is calculated. The misfire limit of the engine is detected by determining whether or not the calculated standard deviation is greater than a reference value. When the calculated standard deviation is greater than the reference value, the controlled air-fuel ratio is decreased, while when the calculated standard deviation is not greater than the reference value, the controlled air-fuel ratio is increased, thereby attaining a lean burn system without a lean mixture sensor.

Abstract: In a method for measuring variations in the output of an internal combustion engine, at least one of signals respectively representing an engine speed, torque, and internal cylinder pressure of the internal combustion engine during the firing strokes of the engine is obtained. A periodical and pulsating change in the obtained signal is detected. A differential value at a portion of the change of the signal having a maximum gradient is then detected. Another method provides measuring variations in the output of the internal combustion engine by calculating the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the change of the obtained signal. Still another method provides measuring variations in the output of the internal combustion engine by correcting the obtained value in accordance with the engine speed. Still another method provides measuring variations in the output of the internal combustion engine by calculating the difference between consecutive changes.