Abstract: A gear shift control device of an automatic transmission of a vehicle, including: a means for estimating a target shift stage for harmonizing rotation speed and power output of engine of the vehicle; a means for estimating slip angle of at least one of the pair of drive wheels; a means for estimating slip ratio of the at least one drive wheel which would be caused thereon by the automatic transmission being shifted to the target shift stage; a means for estimating tire grip of the at least one drive wheel based upon the estimated slip angle and the estimated slip ratio; a means for judging if the estimated tire grip of the at least one drive wheel is in a grip range predetermined therefor; and a means for executing gear shift of the automatic transmission when the target shift stage is different from a current shift stage with the estimated tire grip being within the predetermined grip range.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to reduce shift shocks by controlling the driving torque during gear shift changing so that the driving torque is represented by a smooth, ideal waveform. The driving torque calculating means estimates the output shaft torque of the automatic transmission from the engine torque characteristic or torque converter characteristic and, based on the estimated driving torque, generate a targeted torque pattern during gear shift changing. The engine torque control value calculating means calculates the control value for controlling the engine output torque, i.e., an ignition timing correction value .DELTA..theta.ig, so as to eliminate the deviation between the targeted torque and the driving torque estimated by the driving torque calculating means. This ignition timing correction approximates the driving torque to smooth the targeted torque.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission includes: a clutch adapted to be applied when a forward running range is selected, to transmit the rotation of an engine to the transmission mechanism of a speed change unit and a hydraulic servo for applying/releasing the clutch. A control unit controls oil pressure fed to the hydraulic servo and includes: an application starting pressure detector for detecting application starting pressure at the instant when the application of the clutch is started; an initial application pressure setter for setting an initial application pressure on the basis of the detected application starting pressure; and an oil pressure regulator for adjusting the oil pressure fed to the hydraulic servo, when a change is made to a forward running range, and then gradually raising that oil pressure.

Abstract: A shift mechanism is provided for requesting an upshift and a downshift in a multiple gear ratio transmission of a motor vehicle. The mechanism comprises a shift lever for requesting a gear change, a controller for determining the proper gear ratio and for causing the proper gear ratio to be engaged when the shift lever is moved to request a gear ratio change, and a shift gate for directing the travel of the shift lever in a pattern including an upshift plane, a downshift plane and a delay position therebetween.

Abstract: A method for controlling engagement of an automatic transmission in response to manual operation of a gear shift lever by the vehicle operator includes determining the instantaneous position of the PRNDL shift lever and checking whether that position has changed since the last execution of the control algorithm. Next the method determines whether the gear shift lever has moved from the neutral position to the drive position or whether it is moved from the drive position to the neutral position since the last execution of the program. In response to these checks, various flags are set and an engagement timer is loaded to a predetermined period. Finally the method passes the shift lever position to a microprocessor depending on the state of the flags, expiration of the timer and the vehicle speed or turbine speed.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the cyclic adaptation of a characteristic for the changes in an automatic gearbox, a gear-change strategy which determines correction values by an algorithm that correlates external influencing variables and by a process involving evaluation of measured actual values of the influencing variables is used to adapt the characteristic both in the direction of the coordinate indicating a parameter dependent on the speed of travel and in the direction of the coordinate indicating a parameter associated with the engine torque. The process of adaptation is performed as a function of respectively associated correction values.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission, has a fluid transmission unit for transmitting the rotation of an engine to a speed change unit; a clutch adapted to be applied when a forward running range is selected to transmit the rotation of the fluid transmission unit to the transmission mechanism of the speed change unit; a stopped state detector for detecting a stopped state of a vehicle wherein the stopped state is defined as a forward running range being selected, the throttle opening being fully closed, the brake pedal being depressed, and the vehicle speed being substantially zero; engine speed detector for detecting the engine speed; clutch operation force generating means for generating the application force of the clutch; and a control unit. The control unit releases the clutch by reducing the engaging force of the clutch when the stopped state of the vehicle is detected by the stopped state detecting means.

Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicular semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for continuously informing the operator of available ratios and for permitting selection of a desired shift (GR.sub.T(2)), which will be immediately implemented, regardless of the previous selection or ongoing shift implementation, of engagement of a previously selected target ratio (GR.sub.T(2)). During a shift transient to engage a selected target ratio (GR.sub.T(1)), the display will show the maximum available upshifts and downshifts from the target ratio, and shift requests will be interpreted as requests for upshifts and downshifts from the initial target ratio (GR.sub.T(1)) into a new target ratio (GR.sub.T(1)).

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an engine, an automatic transmission and a chassis. A control system for the motor vehicle includes a gear ratio change control system, an engine control system and a communications channel through which the gear ratio change control system and the engine control system communicate with one another. The gear ratio change control system has function units being dependent on data of the engine and the chassis and being integrated with the engine control system. A gear ratio change unit has function units being dependent on data of the transmission. The communications channel exchanges data required for controlling the transmission, between the engine control system and the gear ratio change unit. An emergency device switches-over the gear ratio change unit, upon a malfunction of the communications channel, to receive control signals from a device not communicating with it through the communications channel.

Abstract: A shift shock reducing system for a continuously variable transmission detects power transmission ratio of the transmission. A shifting response delay of the transmission is determined depending upon a transmission speed ratio detected by a speed ratio detector. At a transition from a coasting state to a power-on driving state, a fuel recovery delay device issues a command for making a fuel cut-off device inoperative with a delay of a predetermined period derived on the basis of the shifting response delay set by a shifting response delay setting device, from detection of the transition by a driving condition transition detector, for synchronizing rising of the engine output with actual initiation of shifting of the transmission, associated with transition from coasting state to the power-on driving state, so as to effectively reduce the shift shock.

Abstract: A control system/method for an automated transmission system including a splitter-type, semi-blocked mechanical transmission (12) is provided. The control provides a technique for sensing and rapidly recovering from a blocker (324) hang-up fault in the transmission auxiliary section (214).

Abstract: A change gear control device is provided for an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine which is operated with an air/fuel mixture having air/fuel ratios ranging from a fuel rich air/fuel ratio to a fuel lean air/fuel ratio depending on driving conditions of the motor vehicle. In this device a first detector detects an engine torque of the internal combustion engine and a second detector detects a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle. A processor processes transmission gear ratios for the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A system for detecting malfunction of a transmission of a vehicle, more particularly a system for detecting a failure of a shift lever position sensor for a vehicle automatic transmission is provided with two detection modes based on urban driving and open-road driving. The number of times that the vehicle speed goes up and down between prescribed upper and lower values separately defined for the two modes is counted, when the shift lever position signal is absent. Probable failure is judged when the number of times reaches eight in the first mode and sensor failure is confirmed when the number of times reaches three in the second mode. Shift lever position sensor failure can be reliably detected irrespective of whether the driving environment is urban or open-road.

Abstract: To provide the driver with a driving feeling which faithfully keeps up with various running states of the vehicle and running requirements of the driver by finding an accommodation coefficient indicating a running state by fuzzy inference. A target rotational speed of the engine is set on the basis of the accommodation coefficient found during the previous step. The change-gear ratio of the nonstage transmission is controlled so as to result in the target rotational speed of the engine set at the immediately previous step. A transmission control unit includes an accommodation coefficient fuzzy-inferring control, a target engine rotational speed setting control and a change-gear ratio controlling member. Inputting the change-gear ratio R, the throttle opening O, the speed v of the vehicle and the change in vehicle speed per unit time (or the acceleration) G, the accommodation coefficient fuzzy-inferring control finds a rate of change A in accommodation coefficient A by using fuzzy rules set in advance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after a power reset is provided. Within a predetermined time period after a power reset, the current commanded transmission gear is held, or alternatively the highest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded, until an accurate determination of the vehicle speed can be made. If the vehicle speed is thereafter determined to be below a minimum vehicle speed value, the transmission is commanded to the neutral position, or alternatively, the lowest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded. If the vehicle speed is above the minimum vehicle speed value, or alternatively, above a maximum vehicle speed value, then the transmission is commanded to the highest of the electronically selectable gears. In either case, further electronic shifts are inhibited for a predetermined time period after recovery from the power reset is accomplished.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling overspeed conditions of an electronically controlled transmission and engine wherein the transmission has an output shaft and is electronically shiftable by an electronic shift control module between forward and reverse gears to rotate the output shaft in forward and reverse directions and a neutral gear without shaft rotation. The transmission has an operator controlled shift lever for requesting a gear from the forward, neutral and reverse gears and operates in a present gear from among the forward, reverse and neutral gears. The method includes determining forced downshift shift points, overspeed downshift shift points, overspeed upshift shift points, a directional shift inhibit speed, and overspeed values for each gear based on transmission speed; determining output shaft speed; and operating the shift lever to request a gear.

Abstract: A diagnostic strategy for an automatic transmission having electronic shift control solenoids for controlling application and release of clutches and brakes during the establishment and disestablishment of torque ratios in multiple-ratio gearing for the transmission wherein provision is made for developing diagnostic data that detects failure modes due to a faulty shift solenoid by using predetermined failure modes stored in the RAM portion of a microprocessor and comparing those known failure modes to the actual performance of the shift solenoids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmission shift control and prevention is provided. When the inching pedal is not depressed, the transmission is free to shift to the desired gear. When the inching pedal is depressed, the transmission is free to shift to the desired gear if the shift is a shift from a gear into neutral. With the inching pedal depressed and the shift lever moved from neutral into a gear, the transmission is free to shift if the transmission speed is below first gear high idle. When a directional shift has been requested, the transmission is free to shift to the desired gear if the transmission speed is below first gear high idle.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for controlling the operating sequences in a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine to which amounts of fuel and air are supplied for influencing the engine torque. Furthermore, the motor vehicle includes an automatic transmission having a ratio which can be changed. The overrun operation of the motor vehicle is detected in dependence upon the position of an accelerator pedal actuated by the driver and in dependence upon a comparison of the rpm of the engine and/or the input and/or the output rpm of the transmission to at least one threshold value. The fuel quantity is at least reduced compared to normal operation when an overrun is detected.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling the power of a drive unit of a motor vehicle wherein a power-output element is set on the basis of an operator-controlled element actuated by the driver and the power-output element can assume positions different with respect to the position of the operator-controlled element depending upon operating range. A maximum permissible position of the power-output element is determined on the basis of the position of the operator-controlled element as well as on the basis of data with respect to the operating range for function monitoring the setting of the power-output element and a fault is then detected when the actual position of the power-output element exceeds the maximum permissible value.

Abstract: A control system (104)/method for a vehicular automated mechanical transmission is provided, which will compare input signals indicative of input shaft speed (IS) to the product of input signals indicative of output shaft speed multiplied by engaged gear ratio (OS*GR) to develop control parameters indicative of drivetrain torque magnitude and/or phase requiring a driveline torque transducer.

Abstract: An engine control system that relies upon throttle valve position and a throttle position detector. However, rather than measuring actual throttle valve detector output signals, a different signal is measured so that accurate positioning of the initial position of the throttle position detector is unnecessary.

Abstract: Sensors (20, 21) provide a degree of throttle valve opening (TVO) and an output shaft revolution speed (No) to CPU (10), respectively. CPU (10) carries out a fuzzy inference for each gear position based on two kinds of parameters referring to a driving force deviation (Ef(i)) and a fuel consumption ratio (Qf(i)), and selects a speed change ratio which makes the appraisals for the driving force deviation and the fuel consumption ratio best, as a mark speed change ratio for the next gear position (NextGp), according to a predetermined program. Thus the shift control system selects a gear position corresponding to the speed change ratio by which the deviation between the driver's requiring driving force and the driving force after shifting becomes few, while the fuel consumption ratio becomes good.

Abstract: In the present invention a solenoid is used on a ratchet shifter and is controlled through a relay by an electronic controller. This controller can be an analog, digital, or microprocessor driven device. The power supplied to the solenoid most conveniently is the existing battery of the vehicle. This power source is the only source needed, unlike pneumatic cylinders that require a bottle of compressed gas, e.g., air or CO.sub.2. The electronic controller is reset when the hold button is activated at the starting line. When the hold button is released, the vehicle launches violently at or above the rpm lock up of the transmission converter. This is sometimes referred to as "converter flash". If the rpm lock up of the converter is close to the rpm level setting for the first shift, or tire spin occurs, the rpm level will be reached prematurely causing the vehicle to shift early. The electronic controller has a preset time delay, disabling a shift, that begins when the hold button is released.

Abstract: A change gear control device is provided for an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine which is operated with an air/fuel mixture having air/fuel ratios ranging from a fuel rich air/fuel ratio to a fuel lean air/fuel ratio depending on driving conditions of the motor vehicle. In this device a first detector detects an engine torque of the internal combustion engine and a second detector detects a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle. A processor processes transmission gear ratios for the automatic transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to technology wherein the torque input to an automatic transmission is estimated using an intake flow rate corrected by eliminating an intake flow rate friction component, the invention enabling the intake flow rate at the time of cool down to be accurately corrected. The characteristics of warm-up intake flow rate friction component versus engine rotational speed are pre-stored, and a warm-up intake flow rate friction component retrieved from an actual engine speed. A ratio for when the automatic transmission is in a non driving range, between the actual intake flow rate and the retrieved warm-up intake flow rate friction component is then obtained to set a correction coefficient. The warm-up intake flow rate friction component is then corrected by the most recently set correction coefficient, and this becomes the intake flow rate friction component.

Abstract: A control system and method for a semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request for a scrolling display of allowable ratios in either the upshift or downshift direction, and for a direct shift into the selected one of the displayed ratios. In one embodiment, retaining the control (1) lever in a displaced position for one or two seconds will initiate the scrolling display, while retaining the transmission engaged in the initial ratio, and subsequently release of the control lever to its centered position will cause a direct shift into the then displayed ratio.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a vehicle including an automatic transmission having at least one load carrying friction element, such as clutch, of optimizing the line pressure in the transmission by slipping the weakest friction element by a small amount. The method includes the steps of decreasing the line pressure from a predetermined base pressure to allow for incipient slip across the weakest friction element and then increasing the line pressure to obtain a temporary pressure at which the weakest friction element is no longer slipping. The method also includes the step of further increasing the line pressure from the temporary pressure to obtain an operating line pressure. Preferably, the operating line pressure provides the weakest friction element with additional capacity for transmitting torque without slip for normal driving conditions, i.e. sensed vehicle throttle positions within a predetermined hysteresis band.

Abstract: An automatic transmission which includes a clutch (6); a clutch actuator (7) for detecting and controlling a position of the clutch; a transmission (1); a transmission actuator (2) for driving the transmission; a vehicle speed detector (22) for detecting a vehicle speed; a throttle opening detector (11) for detecting a throttle opening; an automatic shift unit (30) including a gear shift map (30a, 30b) having a gear shift characteristic which is determined based on the vehicle speed and the throttle opening; a computer unit (30c) for computing an instant gear position of the transmission based on the vehicle speed and the throttle opening according to the gear shift map; a gear position selector (30d) for controlling the transmission actuator based on the instant gear position to upshift or downshift the transmission; a shift prohibit unit (40) for determining whether the instant gear position matches the previous gear position from a memory (40a) for a predetermined times in a predetermined period and, if th

Abstract: A method for automatically changing the speed of a dump truck for use as a construction vehicle which is capable of improving the fuel cost by utilizing the engine output effectively and efficiently, improving the durability of the power transmission system and giving the driver a comfortable ride. According to this automatic speed change method, a desired, optimum speed stage which meets the loading condition of the dump truck and/or the engine output condition can be selected by using controllers each having a built-in computer.

Abstract: An engine speed control system causes an engine, equipped with an automatic transmission which shifts up according to predetermined shift schedules, to reduce its output at a predetermined engine speed so as to protect the engine by preventing the engine from being subjected to "over-revolution." The predetermined engine speed is changed according to engine operating conditions such as a decrease in engine temperature. Simultaneously, a shift-up vehicle speed, at which the automatic transmission shifts itself up, is decreased according to engine operating conditions and, more particularly, engine temperatures and throttle openings. As a result, an up-shift of the automatic transmission properly takes place, even when the vehicle travels at lower speeds.