Abstract: A method of controlling a direct-coupling mechanism of a hydraulic torque converter of an automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle, wherein the transmission capacity of the direct-coupling mechanism is controlled such that the value of a first predetermined parameter indicative of an amount of relative slip between input and output members of the hydraulic torque converter which are mechanically engaged with each other by the direct-coupling mechanism lies within a predetermined reference range. The value of a second predetermined parameter indicative of one of said plurality operating modes for the automotive vehicle is detected. Determined in dependence on the detected value of the second predetermined parameter is either the predetermined reference range of the value of the first predetermined parameter or a rate at which the transmission capacity is controlled such that the value of said predetermined parameter changes toward the predetermined reference range of the first predetermined parameter.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission for a vehicle, a lock-up device is provided for a direct coupling clutch. The automatic transmission includes a fluid type torque converter having a hydraulic direct coupling clutch, and an auxiliary transmission having plural stages of gear trains. The lock-up control device has a valve for controlling the supply of oil pressure from a common oil pressure source to the direct coupling clutch, the valve having a body movable between opposite end positions and adapted to take a first switch position at one of the end positions when applied with a single signal pressure and a second switch position at the other end position, after release of the signal pressure, due to resilient force of a spring. The valve allows flow of the actuating oil pressure to the direct coupling clutch when the valve body is at both the first and second switch positions and interrupts the flow during shifting movement of the valve body from the first to second positions or vice versa.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes a mechanical transmission mechanism coupled to a fluid coupling such as a torque converter. The mechanical transmission mechanism has several power trains and several friction engagement mechanisms. By selective supply of actuating fluid pressure to selective ones of the friction engagement mechanisms, various speed stages are provided.

Abstract: A direct-coupling control system for torque converter in automatic transmission, comprising a fluid torque converter coupled in series to an auxiliary transmission capable of selectively switching a speed ratio over to one of a plurality of different stages and a direct-coupling mechanism capable of directly mechanically coupling together input and output members of the torque converter using the engaging capacity determined by the function of difference between the actuating pressure acting on the engaging side of the torque converter and the internal pressure acting on the release side thereof. The control system is also provided with a switch valve for allowing the actuating oil to escape to an oil tank synchronously with the speed change operation, and a supplementary mechanism for performing a switching operation so as to raise the internal pressure of the torque converter synchronously with the speed change operation.

Abstract: A direct-coupling control device for a torque converter for an automatic vehicular transmission in which a valve controlling the locking force of a direct-coupling mechanism is provided with two independently-formed pressure chambers pushing a valve body in a direction in which a locking force is increased. The device is also provided with a first fluid pressure output connected to one of the pressure chambers, and a second fluid pressure output connected to the other. When the first fluid pressure is higher than the second fluid pressure, the first fluid pressure acts on the sum of the individual working areas of the first and second fluid pressures on the valve body. A reliable speed change control can be provided by the two fluid pressures, and the capacity characteristics of the direct-coupling mechanism can be selected optimally with respect to these fluid pressures.

Abstract: A control system (100) for an engine-driven auxiliary equipment (51) for vehicles including a central control circuit (31) for controlling the shifting of gear ratios (low, 2nd) of an automatic transmission (10), which drives a driven wheel with power from an engine (1), in conformity with a shift may (Mt) having as variables thereof the vehicle speed (V) of the vehicle and the output (Th) of the engine (1), depending on an instantaneous vehicle speed (Vd) and an instantaneous engine output (Thd), is to control the auxiliary equipment (51), which is driven with power from the engine (1) and provided with a mechanism (52, 53) for transmitting and interrupting the power from the engine (1) to the auxiliary equipment (51).

Abstract: A direct coupling clutch controller interposed between a direct coupling clutch in a torque converter of an automatic transmission and a hydraulic pressure source for temporarily disconnecting the direct coupling clutch whenever the transmission shifts gears. The controller is particularly suitable for transmissions having four or more gear stages, and includes a valve having a first and a second switching position where the pressure source is connected to the clutch. As the valve moves between the positions, the connection is interrupted. The valve is pilot operated by the transmission controller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gear shift controller for an automatic transmission with a gear shift, having a hydraulic torque converter; a gear change group, having a plurality of gears, each gear providing a different transmission ratio for the transmission of power from said hydraulic converter to the output of the transmission, each of said gears having a gear train; a one-way clutch interposed in at least one of said gear trains; a plurality of clutch means operatively connected with said gear trains for actuating each of said gear trains selectively; a gear change determination circuit operatively connected with said clutch means for controlling the operation of each of said clutch means according to a predetermined gear-shifting program; a coasting detection circuit operatively connected with said gear change determination circuit, for detecting a car in the coasting state; a gear shift limiting circuit, operatively connected with said gear change determination circuit, for actuating only said gear train in which sai

Abstract: A direct-coupling controller for a torque converter direct-coupling clutch in an automatic transmission. The controller can include a feedback pilot oil pressure operated reduction valve with a throttling orifice in the signal line and a pilot oil pressure switched vehicle speed response valve in parallel with the reduction valve. The vehicle speed response valve bypasses the reduction valve when vehicle speed is above a predetermined value. Alternatively, the controller includes a single valve which is pilot oil pressure switched depending on vehicle speed which in an open position directly feeds oil pressure to the clutch and which in a closed position feeds the oil pressure to the clutch while throttling the oil pressure through an orifice and permitting some of the working oil to pass the drain through another throttling orifice.

Abstract: A back-up device for an electronic control system of an automatic transmission in an automotive vehicle, of the type including at least first and second frictionally engaging elements hydraulically actuable, respectively, for establishing a first speed ratio for lower speed running of the vehicle and a second speed ratio for higher speed running of same, selector valves adapted to selectively assume first and second positions, respectively, for connecting the first and second frictionally engaging elements to an operating fluid source, electromagnetic valves for driving the selector valves to select the first position or the second position, and an electronic control unit for selectively energizing and deenergizing the electromagnetic valves in accordance with a predetermined gear shifting manner responsive to electrical signals indicative of the vehicle speed and the engine output.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the operation of a direct-coupling hydraulic clutch of a hydraulic torque converter for use in an automotive vehicle, wherein the hydraulic torque converter is coupled to a transmission of the automotive vehicle selectable at a plurality of transmission gear ratios. A first fluid line is connected to the direct-coupling hydraulic clutch for supplying same with operating fluid pressure generated by an operating fluid pressure source. A selector valve is arranged across the first fluid line and shiftable to a first or a second position thereof in response to a transmission gear ratio established by the transmission, and is adapted to open the first fluid line when it assumes the first or second position, and to close the first fluid line when it assumes a third position between the first and second positions.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission comprising a fluid type torque converter having an input member including a pump vane wheel and an output member including a turbine vane wheel, and an auxiliary transmission having one or plural stages of gear trains through which the torque of said output member is transmitted to driving wheels, a lock-up control device for a torque converter in an automatic transmission for vehicle comprising a hydraulic direct coupling clutch having a slip characteristic provided between the input and output members of the torque converter and capable of mechanically coupling said both members and a modulator valve disposed in an oil passage for connecting an oil pressure cylinder of said direct coupling clutch with an oil pressure source, said modulator valve being composed of a valve body for opening and closing said oil passage, a spring for biasing said valve body in a valve-opening direction, a first oil pressure chamber for introducing pilot oil pressure for biasing said valve body in a

Abstract: In an automatic transmission which prevents creep in advance speed change gear trains and which makes it possible to apply engine brake in the advance speed change gear trains, the invention provides a creep prevention apparatus for a car equipped with an automatic transmission which ensures effective engine brake even if control elements for the creep prevention mechanism are out of order by accident.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control system for a vehicle, including a throttle valve-opening detector and an electronic controller. The throttle valve-opening detector includes a detection arm mounted either on the accelerator pedal arm or the like rotary member of the accelerator operating system for controlling the opening of the throttle valve, or on the body of the vehicle pivotally supporting the rotary member. A position detector is mounted on the other of the rotary member and the vehicle body and equipped with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element which face each other across both side surfaces of a shutter portion formed at an end portion of the detection arm. The light-receiving element is sensitive to an optical beam emitted from the light-emitting element and generates an electric signal.

Abstract: A direct coupling control device controlling a direct coupling clutch to be actuated at a lower vehicle speed when the automatic transmission shifter is in automatic position and at a higher speed when the shifter is in the normal position.The engagement force of the clutch can be increased with vehicle speed. A lock-releasing mechanism can be provided to release engagement of the clutch momentarily during shifting of the transmission.

Abstract: An electrical connector device for use in an electrical system requiring electrical connection between rotatable members. The device comprises a first insulator having at least one first terminal affixed thereto, a first shaft member projecting from the first insulator, a second insulator rotatably fitted over the first shaft member and having at least one second terminal affixed thereto, a second shaft member secured to the second insulator, a flexible conductor in the form of a wire having either end connected to the first and second terminals, the conductor being wound around the first shaft member, and a restriction mechanism for limiting relative rotation between the first and second insulators within a predetermined angle.

Abstract: An electrical connector device providing electrical connections in an electrical circuit for an air bag system, between a rotatable member including a steering wheel and a steering shaft and a fixed member including a steering column. The connector device comprises a movable casing for rotation with the rotatable member, a stationary casing fixedly supported by the fixed member, two chambers defined between the movable and stationary casings and separated radially from each other, an electrical conductor housed in one of the chambers and having one end connected to a terminal on the movable casing and the other end connected to a terminal on the stationary casing, the electrical conductor allowing relative rotation between the movable and stationary casings, and a slip ring and a brush housed in the other chamber and fixed to the stationary and movable casings, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector device comprises at least one first conductor fixed to a first insulator, at least one second conductor fixed to a second insulator which is angularly movable with respect to the first insulator, a third conductor in the form of a flexible wire which is disposed between the first and second insulators and which is at least partially loose, first and second contact members electrically connected to ends of the third conductor and to the first and second conductors, a third insulator angularly movable with respect to the first and second insulators, the second contact member being fixed to the third insulator, and a guide mechanism for guiding the second and third insulators to move angularly in the same direction. The electrical connector device allows desired rotation between relatively movable members in an electrical system while maintaining electrical connection therebetween by using the loosely disposed conductor.