Abstract: In a navigation system, during navigation between guidance intersections A and B, a next named intersection C is displayed along with the distance remaining until the named intersection B is reached. After the vehicle has entered the distance error correction range, illumination color of the display of the next named intersection C is changed into, for example, red. If a corresponding portion of the display screen is touched at the time of passage though the intersection, a distance error is corrected. The invention thus makes it possible to readily correct distance errors with accuracy. Even during navigation along a straight road, distance correction can be performed at specific intersections. The invention also makes it possible to track the present position with accuracy by increasing the frequency of distance error correction.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for navigating an automotive vehicle in accordance with a preset course while measuring distance travelled and steering angle is characterized by previously storing positions of charactering features along the course and guidance information relating to said characterizing features, correlating travelling distance and the positions of the characterizing features, and outputting guidance information relating to a particular characterizing feature on the condition that said characterizing feature has been approached. Guidance information relating to a particular characterizing feature is outputted when the vehicle has approached this characterizing feature. Thereof, by matching this guidance information with the circumstances along the course, the driver can verify during travel whether the course is correct or not.

Abstract: A navigation apparatus for navigating a vehicle in accordance with a preset course while measuring distance travelled and steering angle has voice track indication means in which voice track indications corresponding to the distance remaining to an intersection at which the next turn is to be made are outputted as the intersection is approached. When the distance from this intersection to the next intersection requiring a turn is less than a predetermined value, a voice track indication pointing out a lane into which the vehicle should be steered following the turn at the former intersection is outputted after the final voice track indication given just before the vehicle reaches this intersection. When it is required that a turn be made at the latter intersection immediately after the turn at the former intersection, the lane information for the turn at the latter intersection is outputted before the vehicle is turned at the former intersection.

Abstract: A steering sensor is installed in a vehicle by utilizing a clearance between a steering wheel and a turn signal switch assembly. This makes it possible to provide a steering sensor having a high degree of universality, since the sensor can be simply retrofitted on an existing vehicle not already having such a sensor. The steering sensor can be utilized widely in navigation or other systems requiring such a sensor.

Abstract: Pressure regulating system for use in an automatic transmission including a fluid coupling, a belt drive continuously-variable speed transmission mechanism having an input pulley and an output pulley which are rotatably interlocked with a V-belt and a reduction ratio control system for controlling the reduction ratio of the belt drive continuously-variable speed transmission mechanism. The pressure regulating system includes a regulator valve capable of regulating the discharge pressure of an oil pump to provide a line pressure, a reduction ratio detecting valve and a throttle pressure valve. The reduction ratio detecting valve receives the line pressure and provides a pressure which is proportional to the displacement of the movable flange of the output pulley with respect to the corresponding fixed flange.

Abstract: A reduction ratio controlling mechanism provided within the hydraulic control system of a continuously variable automatic transmission of a vehicle including a V-belt type continuously variable transmission which comprises an input pulley and an output pulley, the effective diameter of each of said pulleys being variable by means of a corresponding hydraulic servomechanism, and a V-belt extending between said input and said output pulleys, for changing the reduction ratio of said continuously variable transmission by supplying a hydraulic fluid to and by draining same from the hydraulic servomechanism of said input pulley.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch controller for the fluid coupling of an automotive automatic transmission, capable of making a lock-up clutch provided in the fluid coupling for directly coupling the input shaft and the output shaft of the fluid coupling engage or disengage smoothly responsive to an electric duty signal applied to a lock-up operation control solenoid valve. The lock-up clutch controller includes, as essential components, a lock-up clutch relay valve (a spool valve), a lock-up clutch control valve (a spool valve) and the lock-up operation control solenoid valve which operates in accordance with an electrical duty ratio signal to control the lock-up relay valve and the lock-up operation control valve so that the working fluid is supplied to the fluid coupling or the fluid coupling is drained appropriately for the smooth engagement and disengagement of the lock-up clutch.

Abstract: A control system for a belt drive continuously-variable speed automatic transmission (CVT) for a vehicle wherein the discharge speed of a working fluid from a hydraulic servomotor provided on an input pulley of CVT is restricted by a downshift control mechanism to prevent a slip produced at the time of kickdown. The downshift control mechanism comprises a downshift controlling solenoid valve, a reduction ratio control mechanism and an electric control circuit for controlling these elements, wherein at the time of the kickdown, the solenoid valve is deenergized to close a drain port for the hydraulic servomotor of the reduction ratio control mechanism, and at the time of the coastdown, the solenoid valve is energized to open the drain port for the hydraulic servomotor of the reduction ratio control mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic transmission provided with a combination of a belt drive continuously-variable speed transmission mechanism and a hydraulic control circuit. The belt drive continuously-variable speed transmission mechanism has an input variable-pitch pulley assembly and an output variable-pitch pulley assembly. The hydraulic control circuit includes a regulator valve, a throttle pressure valve, a reduction ratio detecting valve, a reduction ratio control valve and a reduction ratio control mechanism. The reduction ratio control valve has an axially slidable spool and two pressure chambers formed in the valve body thereof at both axial ends of the spool respectively. The reduction ratio control mechanism includes conduits for conducting the working fluid of a throttle pressure to the pressure chambers of the reduction ratio control valve and two solenoid valves adapted to drain the corresponding pressure chambers, respectively, when actuated.

Abstract: A reduction ratio detecting mechanism for V-belt type continuously variable transmission of this invention comprising a spool disposed with one end thereof projecting from a valve body containing said oil-hydraulic controller of said V-belt type continuously variable transmission and with the axis thereof in parallel with the axis of either one of said input and output pulleys and capable of providing a reduction ratio pressure corresponding to the amount of displacement of said spool, said reduction ratio pressure being applied to said oil-hydraulic controller, wherein the movable flange of said input pulley or said output pulley and said reduction ratio valve are connected by a connecting lever which is engaged, at one end thereof, with said movable flange so as to allow the turning of said movable flange and, at the other end thereof, with the projecting part of said spool, is capable of directly and accurately detecting the reduction ratio between the input and output shafts.

Abstract: In a hydraulic regulator in a V-belt type continuously variable transmission for vehicles, a regulator valve supplied with input hydraulic pressure controls the line pressure as output hydraulic pressure depending on to the throttle opening, the reduction ratio between the input and output shafts of the V-belt type continuously variable transmission and the shift position of a manual valve. As the line pressure is close to the minimum value needed, power loss in the oil pump as well as fuel consumption are reduced.

Abstract: A control system for continuously variable transmission for vehicles is provided with an electric circuit receiving input signals of vehicle running conditions and a hydraulic control circuit. The hydraulic control circuit comprises a reduction ratio control device controlled by the electric control circuit and regulating the hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic servo system of the input pulley and changing the reduction ratio between the input and output shafts of a V-belt type continuously variable transmission, and a shift control mechanism controlled by the electric control circuit and regulating the rise time of hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic servo system of friction engaging elements connected to a planetary gear set changing forward and reverse drives.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure regulator in a V-belt type continuously variable transmission for vehicles comprises a torque ratio pressure control valve providing torque ratio pressure corresponding to the reduction ratio between input and output shafts, a regulator valve receiving the torque ratio pressure and providing the line pressure corresponding to the torque ratio pressure, and feedback passages of output hydraulic pressure of the torque ratio pressure control valve acting on the torque ratio pressure passage through an orifice. In the hydraulic pressure regulator, the feedback hydraulic pressure is changed in intake or exhaust state and the torque ratio pressure entered to the regulator valve is varied stepwise corresponding to the throttle opening, and the line pressure is controlled stepwise corresponding to the throttle opening, thereby the line pressure can be approached to the minimum value required by the hydraulic control circuit.

Abstract: In a V-belt type continuously variable transmission for vehicles, the line pressure is supplied to a hydraulic servo system of the output pulley, while the pressure to a hydraulic servo system of the input pulley is regulated by a torque ratio control device. The torque ratio control device of the invention comprises an electric control circuit receiving input signals of the vehicle running conditions such as the throttle opening, the vehicle speed or the input pulley revolution speed and generating output signals to control the effective diameter of the input pulley, two electromagnetic solenoid valves controlled by the output signals of the electric control circuit, and a torque ratio control valve controlled by the two solenoid valves and regulating the hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic servo system of the input pulley. The output hydraulic pressure of the torque ratio control device is supplied to the hydraulic servo system of the input pulley thereby continuously variable shifting is effected.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve without an independent casing is provided. The electromagnetic valve includes the housing of a hydraulic control system in which the electromagnetic valve is functionally and physically incorporated. The housing has perpendicularly intersecting first and second wall surfaces and includes a cylindrical cavity bored into the second wall surface with the central longitudinal axis of the cavity being disposed parallel to the first wall surface. A linear groove is formed into the first wall surface perpendicularly to the center axis of the cylindrical cavity and communicates with the cylindrical cavity. A valve port, directly in the housing or in a valve seat member fitted into the housing in alignment with the central longitudinal axis of the cavity, communicates with a fluid conduit in the housing. Valve components are located in the cavity and externally of the cavity is a retainer which engages the components in compression making contact through the linear groove.

Abstract: A planetary gear transmission changing forward and reverse drives for vehicles comprises one wet-type brake, one wet-type clutch and a planetary gear set, and is controlled by one shift control valve and one solenoid valve operated by an electric control circuit. Hydraulic pressure supplied to the wet-type brake and the wet-type clutch is regulated in independent oil chambers respectively, resulting in effects of accurate hydraulic pressure regulation and simple structure without wrong operation.

Abstract: A throttle opening detector for internal combustion engine is composed of a slide contact device which has first and second contacts with potential periodically varying in pulse form corresponding to throttle opening variation, phase difference of pulses beteeen said first and second contacts being a fourth of the period, and of a throttle opening reading device which reads out throttle opening from the potential variation in the first and second contacts and variations of exclusive-OR of potential signals in both contacts. The throttle opening detector enables to detect throttle opening precisely using a cheap micro-computer in 2 bits and to carry out the initial adjustment automatically.