Abstract: A vehicle control device controls an automatic transmission by utilizing road information stored in a navigation system unit. In response to the road information stored in a data memory, the upper-limit of a shiftable transmission speed range is determined, thereby allowing shift-change only within the restricted transmission range. The actual down-shift is carried out after confirming a decelerating operation by the driver, such as release of the accelerator pedal, thereby providing favorable transmission control in conformity with the driver's intention.

Abstract: A ZnO--Pd composite catalyst wherein Pd is dispersed and fixed on the surface of ZnO is produced by ion adsorption process having the steps of soaking ZnO in an acid solution of Pd to adsorb Pd ions (Pd.sup.2+) onto the surface of ZnO; and reducing the adsorbed Pd ions to metallic Pd particles so that the metallic Pd particles are substantially evenly deposited on the surface of ZnO. The ZnO--Pd composite catalyst provides a stable and continuing CO oxidizing capability, without light irradiation, even when the air to be treated contains sulfur compounds such as H.sub.2 S and SOx.

Abstract: An air-purifying filter includes a carrier base and a TiO.sub.2 -Pd composite catalyst supported on the carrier base. CO in air treated by the filter is adsorbed onto the Pd surface and thus decomposed by oxidization to CO.sub.2, whereas sulfur compounds in the air are adsorbed onto the Pd surface and then transferred to the TiO.sub.2 surface where they are decomposed by oxidization to SO.sub.4.sup.-2 when the TiO.sub.2 is subjected to irradiation. Preferably, Pd exists in a relatively small quantity at a first side of the carrier base in the vicinity of a light source and in a greater quantity at a second side opposite the first side. The first side is preferably located upstream relative to flow of air treated by the filter. An air-purifier utilizing this filter is mounted in an automobile, preferably on a rear shelf or in a trunk compartment.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicular automatic transmission which detects running status of the vehicle and includes a shift controller for controlling the gear stage of the automatic transmission in accordance with the detected running status of the vehicle. The control system further includes a memory for prestoring road information for roads to be run by the vehicle, present location detection and running direction detection. A reader reads out the road information for a set route from the present location to a destination, from the memory, on the basis of the detected present location and the destination input. The engine power required for the vehicle to travel the set route is estimated in accordance with the read road information. A shift schedule which minimizes the fuel consumption on the set route is determined by comparing the estimated engine power requirement with a prestored mileage map and the shift control pattern is changed in accordance with the determined shift schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission of an automobile and a method therefor utilize a route guidance system. The apparatus includes a memory which stores road information, a detector for detecting a specific position which is located on a planned driving route from the road information stored in the memory; a position detector for detecting the present position of the automobile; a speed detector for detecting the speed V of the automobile; a sensor for detecting an opening degree .theta. of a throttle of the automobile; a computer for computing a distance "d" between the detected automobile position and the detected specific position; a driving operation detector for detecting an operation by the driver of the automobile; a first gear ratio selecting device for selecting a first gear ratio for the automatic transmission based on the detected speed V and the detected throttle opening degree .theta.

Abstract: A vehicle, which is either an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, capable of achieving low-pollution emissions and saving energy by maximizing use of the capacity of the battery. A navigation ECU receives input identifying a starting location where the battery is charged, a stopover location, and a destination where battery recharging is planned, and calculates travel distances from the starting location to the stopover location and to the destination based on geographic data for the starting location, the stopover location and the destination, and schedules electric power consumption corresponding to distance travelled, based on the respective calculated distances, to assign a battery residual capacity usage value for each leg of the trip. A vehicle ECU supplies electric power from the battery to the motor in accordance with that schedule.

Abstract: A vehicular automatic transmission for establishing a plurality of forward gear stages, includes: a transmission case; an input shaft; a transmission mechanism connected to the input shaft and including a plurality of transmission elements; an output shaft connected to the transmission mechanism; first and second clutches at opposite ends of the transmission mechanism and drivably connecting the input shaft with at least one of the transmission elements; and first and second hydraulic servos for applying the first and second clutches responsive to feed of an oil pressure. The transmission case encloses the transmission mechanism, the clutches and the hydraulic servos, and includes axial end walls forming cylinders for the hydraulic servos.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle capable of efficiently regenerating a battery when the driving route is previously defined and of decreasing exhaust gases. A controller calculates a battery stored residual charge from the output of a battery current voltage detection sensor, sets a target value for the battery residual charge in accordance with road information and information of the present location of the vehicle, received from a navigation processor, and adjusts the outputs of a motor and an engine to cause the actual battery residual charge to approach the target value.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle is capable of complying with a request for immediate acceleration while the vehicle is moving at a low speed and of being powered by a motor small in size so that the vehicle can be small in size and light in weight. The driving force of engine is supplemented by that of a motor. An output shaft is provided between the engine and the motor. A controller responds to a high torque requirement by increasing engine torque. When the vehicle moves normally, the engine is operated in an output range of high efficiency and low-pollution with output to an output shaft shared by a generator and motor, and while the generator generates electric-power, the engine output is combined with the output of the motor to drive the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle capable of efficiently regenerating a battery when the driving route is previously defined and of decreasing exhaust gases. A controller calculates a battery stored residual charge from the output of a battery current voltage detection sensor, sets a target value for the battery residual charge in accordance with road information and information of the present location of the vehicle, received from a navigation processor, and adjusts the outputs of a motor and an engine to cause the actual battery residual charge to approach the target value.

Abstract: A vehicular automatic transmission, for establishing a plurality of forward gear stages, includes: a transmission case; an input shaft; a transmission mechanism connected to the input shaft and including a plurality of transmission elements; an output shaft connected to the transmission mechanism; a clutch drivably connecting any one of the input shaft and the transmission elements individually; and a hydraulic servo for applying the clutch responsive to an oil pressure. The transmission case encloses the transmission mechanism, the clutch and the hydraulic servo, and includes axial end walls, on one of which is formed a stationary cylinder for the hydraulic servo. A piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder and together with the cylinder, defines an oil chamber for receipt of the actuating oil pressure. A bearing is arranged between the piston and the clutch for transmitting the thrust force from the piston to the clutch, while allowing relative rotation between the piston and the clutch.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle maintains its travel even if the motor driving system used therein suddenly encounters some problem in operation. The hybrid vehicle has an internal combustion engine and an electric motor with its output connected to an output axle. A clutch is provided to selectively connect the internal combustion engine to the output axle and a hydraulic power transmission is provided between the clutch and the internal combustion engine. A drive power share computer apportions the needed drive power between the engine and the motor. A detector is provided for detecting a malfunction of the motor. A first controller serves to release the clutch when the vehicle is running in a motor drive mode and a second controller effects engagement of the clutch and driving with the engine, even when the vehicle is a motor drive mode, when the detector detects a malfunction of the motor.

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 5-speed automatic transmission for a vehicle having a highly efficient top gear, a compact construction and a wide overall range of gear ratios. The automatic transmission has a speed changer which provides five gear stages, namely two speeds on the speed decreasing side and two speeds on the speed increasing side with a direct-coupled gear therebetween. The speed changer includes a ring gear connected to an output shaft, a first carrier, a first sun gear, a second carrier connected to the first carrier, a stepped pinion gear supported by these two carriers, and a sun gear meshing with the pinion gear. The first carrier is connected to an input shaft by a clutch and the first sun gear is connected to the input shaft by a clutch. The first sun gear may be stopped by a first brake, a second brake stops the second sun gear and a third brake is provided to stop a third sun gear. Top gear is achieved by meshing of the pinion gear with the second sun gear and the ring gear.

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 clutch mechanism connecting and disconnecting an output shaft of an internal combustion engine and an input shaft of a transmission unit includes a first clutch assembly coupled to the input shaft of the transmission unit and a second clutch assembly coupled to an output shaft of the engine. A torque conduction member is provided between the first and second clutch assemblies for rotation relative to the two clutch assemblies. The torque conduction member has a first connecting surface for engaging the first clutch assembly and a second connecting surface for engaging the second clutch assembly. The contacting force at the first connecting surface is stronger than that at the second connecting surface, when a predetermined load is applied to the two connecting surfaces in succession.

Abstract: A power transmission system in a hybrid vehicle uses the power developed by an electric motor for directly rotating driving wheels, without power loss in a torque convertor connected to an engine. When the vehicle travels by the power of the engine, an input clutch 7 is engaged so that rotation of an engine output shaft 1a is transmitted to a two-gear shift device 9 via the torque convertor 6, the input clutch 7, and an intermediate shaft 21, whereby driving wheels 33a and 33b are driven by a differential unit 11. While powered by the electric motor, the input clutch 7 is released and the rotation of the electric motor 27 is preferably changed in the shift device 9 before being transmitted to the driving wheels 33a and 33b.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a generator connected with an output shaft extending from the internal combustion engine, an electric motor axially aligned with the output shaft, an output gear assembly connected to an output shaft driven by the rotor of the electric motor and positioned between the generator and the electric motor, a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the generator to/from the output gear assembly, a differential gear unit, and a counter shaft oriented in parallel the output shaft driven by the rotor.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a generator connected with an output shaft extending from the internal combustion engine, an electric motor axially aligned with the output shaft, an output gear assembly connected to an output shaft driven by the rotor of the electric motor and positioned between the generator and the electric motor, a clutch adapted to connect and disconnect the generator to/from the output gear assembly, a differential gear unit, and a counter shaft oriented in parallel the output shaft driven by the rotor.