Abstract: With a speed change control wherein a speed change step is determined corresponding to the gradient of a road surface on which a vehicle is travelling, an upshift requirement is output at the time of a downslope, based on the gradient being gentle, and a reference acceleration and a reference engine load are set corresponding to vehicle speed, speed change step, and gradient. Then, only when an actual acceleration is greater than or equal to the reference acceleration, and an actual engine load is greater than or equal to the reference engine load, is upshift executed based on the upshift requirement, and for other than the above conditions, the upshift requirement is cancelled.

Abstract: In an automotive transmission, a method for determining whether an upshift should be enabled or disabled determines the predetermined upshift vehicle speed at which the upshift is scheduled to occur with reference to current throttle position and vehicle speed. The method employs the difference between upshift vehicle speed and current vehicle speed, the current vehicle acceleration, an empirically determined upshift vehicle acceleration referenced to current vehicle speed and the speed difference. If the current vehicle acceleration is equal to or greater than upshift vehicle acceleration, the upshift is enabled; otherwise, the scheduled upshift is disabled.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicle control system that 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 gear ratio range is determined, thereby allowing change of the gear ratio only within the restricted range. The actual downshift is carried out in response to initiation of a decelerating operation by the driver, such as release of the accelerator pedal, which prevents unnecessary upshift and provides favorable transmission control in conformity with the driver's intention.

Abstract: An shift control strategy for controlling an automatic transmission based on acceleration. The shift control strategy determines a learned vehicle inertia as well as road load torque and expected torque in an upshift gear. A projected post shift acceleration is predicted based on the expected torque, road load torque and inertia of the vehicle. If vehicle speed and throttle position are within an allowable shift zone and if the predicted post shift acceleration exceeds a threshold value, the vehicle automatic transmission is allowed to upshift. The predicted post upshift acceleration value is determined as a function of a selected one of the possible downshifts and is compared to a threshold value. A downshift of the automatic transmission to the selected downshift is allowed if the post downshift acceleration value is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a continuously variable transmission is disclosed. The control apparatus includes a transmission speed sensor which generates actual velocity signals in response measuring a speed of an output shaft of the continuously variable transmission. The control apparatus further includes a first input device which is positionable in one of a number of positions and generates a desired velocity signal corresponding to the one of the number of positions. The control apparatus yet further includes a controller operable to receive the desired velocity signals, receive the actual velocity signals, determine when rapid changes in the desired velocity are requested by an operator, and generate a commanded acceleration and a commanded velocity based on a jerk value which exceeds a predetermined jerk limit in response to the rapid changes in the desired velocity. A method of controlling a continuously variable transmission is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle having an internal-combustion engine. Independent quantities are used for engine control and for monitoring the engine control. Control of the internal-combustion engine is performed, for example, by way of an operating parameter characterizing the engine load, while monitoring of the engine control is performed by means of the output torque. Preferably, monitoring of the engine control is integrated into a traction control system, in which case desired and actual values for a quantity characterizing the vehicle propulsion, such as the output torque, are transmitted by the engine control to the monitoring system and are compared there for recognizing a fault. If a fault is recognized in the traction control system, a signal is transmitted back to the engine control unit, to influence the engine control.

Abstract: A gear ratio of the automatic transmission is controlled by changing a speed ratio between an input-side rotating member to which the driving force from an engine is transmitted and an output-side rotating member through which the driving force is transmitted to driven wheels.

Abstract: A system for controlling automatic transmission downshift points includes a control computer for electronically controlling an internal combustion engine and a transmission having at least one automatically selectable gear. The control computer is responsive to at least a throttle signal, provided by either a manually actuatable accelerator pedal or a cruise control system, to compute an engine load value, and is further responsive to either an engine speed signal or a vehicle speed signal to compute a deceleration value. The control computer is operable to compute a downshift engine RPM value based on the deceleration value and either the throttle signal or the engine load value, wherein the downshift engine RPM value is lower than a default downshift engine RPM if the deceleration value indicates a relatively slow deceleration rate and the throttle signal or the engine load value indicates high throttle or engine load.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle with an automatic transmission adapted to prohibit the upshifting from a second shift stage to a third shift stage upon generation of a slipping of driven wheels. When an accelerator pedal is depressed to increase the throttle opening degree TH in order to permit the vehicle to be started to travel on an icy surface and the like having a lower road surface friction coefficient, the vehicle speed V detected based on the number of rotations of an output shaft of an automatic transmission is rapidly increased due to the generation of a slipping, whereby the upshifting from the second shift stage to the third shift stage is prohibited. A vehicle speed generated on a usual flat road is previously stored, and a presumed vehicle speed VYS is calculated from such vehicle speed and a time elapsed after the generation of the slipping.

Abstract: A process is described for shifting a gear change transmission which has no synchronizing members. A defined rotational speed difference is adjusted at the gear clutches in the range of the synchronous rotational speed. Thereby engaging flanks of the clutch halves which are always situated opposite to one another in the same rotating direction come in contact during the shifting.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission which includes a line pressure controller for regulating hydraulic pressure generated by a hydraulic pump to line pressure, a damper clutch controller for actuating a damper clutch of the torque converter, a reducing pressure controller for reducing line pressure, a range controller for selectively supplying line pressure to lines corresponding to respective shift ranges, a shift controller for supplying hydraulic pressure from the range controller to lines corresponding to respective shift ranges, a hydraulic pressure controller for converting hydraulic pressure from the range controller to operational pressure operating the friction element, and a hydraulic pressure distributor for determining a hydraulic flow path corresponding to each shift range by operating valves according to the hydraulic pressure from the shift controller, and suitably distributing the operational pressure to each friction element, wherein the shift controller furt

Abstract: A vehicle transmission control system in which a central control unit issues signals to an associated main drive clutch actuator and to ratio actuating means to effect changes in the operative ratio of an associated transmission in accordance with a predetermined shift point map. When the shift point map indicates that a ratio shift is appropriate, the system tests for fluctuations in the position of the an associated engine accelerator pedal and only actions the shift if the degree of fluctuation of the accelerator pedal position is judged acceptable. The acceptable level of accelerator pedal fluctuation preferably varies with engine speed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power unit of a vehicle, comprising a stage of calculating the theoretical increment/decrement (Ge, Gd) in the gear number required to pass from the actual operating condition of the vehicle to a condition of maximum power and, respectively, of maximum economy, and a stage of calculating the increment/decrement in the gear number required to obtain the optimum gear by means of an average of the theoretical increments/decrements (Ge, Gd) weighted with weighting factors (Ke, Kd) calculated on the basis of operating parameters of the vehicle detected by means of onboard sensors.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a shift control apparatus which does not cause a vehicle driver to feel uncomfortable when shift control means resumes normal shift control using a predetermined shift pattern. Where return-to-normal determining means 105 determines that a condition or conditions under which the shift control means 102 resumes shift control using a MEDIUM MODE shift pattern is/are satisfied, return-to-normal permitting means 116 permits the shift control means 102 to resume the shift control using the MEDIUM MODE shift pattern when an output control member release determining means 108 determines that an accelerator pedal 58 has been released. In this arrangement, the driver does not feel uncomfortable even if the transmission is shifted up immediately after the shift control means 102 resumes the shift control using the MEDIUM MODE shift pattern.

Abstract: When slipping is generated during the upshifting from a first gear shift stage to a second gear shift stage on ice or the like, a control for prohibiting the upshifting from the second gear shift stage to a third gear shift stage can be carried out precisely. A control system is designed so that when a slipping state is detected on ice having a lower road surface friction coefficient by a slipping state determining device, the upshifting of an automatic transmission from a second gear shift stage to a third gear shift stage is prohibited. In this control system, the time required for the upshifting from a first gear shift stage to the second gear shift stage is measured. If such time is shorter than a first predetermined time, it is determined that a slipping has been generated during the upshifting, and the upshifting from the second gear shift stage to the third gear shift stage is prohibited for a second predetermined time.

Abstract: For testing the operation of the braking system of vehicles, in particular heavy trucks having an automatic multi-ratio mechanical transmission, an estimate for the total weight of the vehicle is formed on the basis of the vehicle's own parameters and driving parameters. If account is taken for the braking force or the acceleration in this calculation, in case of considerable deviations of the calculated vehicle weight from a threshold value, it can be concluded that a defect exists in the braking system of the vehicle. In this case, an alarm signal is given to the driver of the vehicle and/or directly geared to the operation of the mechanical transmission.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission having a running status detector for detecting the running status of a vehicle including an input torque from an engine; a running resistance estimator for estimating a running resistance on the basis of the running status of the vehicle; a running resistance comparator for comparing the estimated running resistance and a preset reference value; and a shift characteristic changing device for changing shift characteristics in accordance with the comparison result of the running resistance comparator. The automatic transmission control system further has a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature relating to the temperature of the engine and a decision device for determining a specific engine running status, in which the output of the engine drops, on the basis of an output signal coming from the temperature sensor. The running resistance comparator changes the reference value in accordance with the determination of the decision device.

Abstract: An engine output control apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle supported on a road surface by a pair of driven road wheels and a pair of non-driven road wheels to control an output transmitted from an internal combustion engine to the driven road wheels through an automatic transmission adapted to produce changes up based on engine output and vehicle speed. A traction control signal is produced when the degree of slip of the driven road wheels is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The engine output is reduced in the presence of the traction control signal. Changes up are produced at higher vehicle speeds in the presence of the traction control signal than in the absence of the traction control signal when the engine output is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Apparatus for estimating a drive mode of a motor vehicle desired by an operator of the motor vehicle, including a variable calculating device and a drive mode estimating device, wherein the variable calculating device calculates at least one of drive mode indicating variables such as a drive force of the vehicle desired by the operator upon starting of the vehicle, a maximum rate of increase of the drive force, a maximum deceleration of the vehicle upon operation of a manually operated member for brake application to the vehicle, a coasting run time of the vehicle and a steady run time of the vehicle, and wherein the drive mode estimating device includes a neural network which receives the drive mode indicating variable or variables calculated by the variable calculating device, so that the drive mode estimating device estimates the drive mode of the motor vehicle desired by the operator on the basis of an output of the neural network.

Abstract: A shift control method for an automotive automatic transmission is provided, which reduces a shift shock particularly at the time of a skip down-shift, and shortens a required shifting time period. An electronic control unit of a shift control apparatus releases the engagement of a clutch of a subsidiary transmission mechanism and engages a one-way clutch so as to establish a gear position not used in the normal speed change when a shift command from the fifth shift position to the third shift position is issued, gradually decreasing a valve opening duty ratio of an electromagnetic valve associated with a brake of a main transmission mechanism from an initial value D.sub.HLi before this gear position is established, determines an average turbine rotation speed changing rate dD.sub.TAVE /dt from the detected turbine rotation speed (S203), and learning correction of the initial value D.sub.HLi is made if the changing rate deviates from a target range (S204-S208).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fast accelerating a vehicle which converts to a fast acceleration mode, wide-opens a throttle valve, increases the torque of a transmission, locks up a transmission after gearshifting a transmission to a high gear position if the torque of the transmission reaches a predetermined value, and converts from a fast acceleration mode to a normal acceleration mode if a brake pedal is depressed. In the fast acceleration mode, a fuel-air mixture is injected into the engine asynchronously and the throttle valve is wide-opened. A vehicle can be accelerated quickly by just a narrow depression of an accelerator pedal. The apparatus comprises a mode switch, an accelerator pedal sensor, a first control unit for controlling a vehicle under a normal acceleration mode, a motor for wide-opening the throttle valve, and a second control unit for controlling a vehicle under a fast acceleration mode.

Abstract: A control system and method is provided for controlling shifting of a vehicular powertrain system (10) including an internal combustion engine (12) drivingly coupled to a mechanical change-gear transmission (14) having a transmission output shaft (22) drivingly coupled to vehicular drive wheels (26) and having a driveline retarder (52) associated therewith. To prevent undesirable vehicle acceleration during shift transients occurring when the vehicle is traveling down a grade, input signals indicative of engine torque (TORQUE.sub.E) and vehicle acceleration (dOS/dt) are sensed and, if engine torque is negative (TORQUE.sub.E <REF.sub.1) and vehicle acceleration is positive (dOS/dt>REF.sub.2), the retarder is caused to apply an increased level of retarding torque to the vehicle drive wheels.

Abstract: Engine speed control during garage shift maneuvers of a transmission coupled, via a transmission input shaft, to a driven turbine of a hydrodynamic converter, the driven turbine fluidically coupled to a driving pump of the converter, the pump coupled to an engine output shaft, wherein engine output torque is controlled in response to a deviation in turbine acceleration away from a target turbine acceleration, to minimize rate of change in turbine acceleration (jerk) during the garage shift maneuver, so as to reject engine torque load changes that may result in undesirable engine speed variation.

Abstract: An acceleration slip control system for a motor vehicle operates so that a request for the upshift of the transmission of the motor vehicle is not output to upshift device in accordance with a road surface condition detected by road-surface condition detection device, on the basis of the detection results of engine revolution-speed detection device and driving-wheel slip detection device, whereby the inferior acceleration of the motor vehicle attributed to the upshift is prevented in order to perform the optimum gear-shift control conforming to the road surface condition.

Abstract: A control method/system for controlling engagement of reverse ratios in automated vehicular transmission systems (10) having a controller (38) issuing command output signals to non-manually controlled actuators (30, 34) is provided. The controller includes logic rules for (i) sensing predetermined reverse ratio enabling conditions, including remaining in neutral for at least a predetermined period of time (N.sub.T >REF.sub.2) prior to selecting reverse, and (ii) issuing commands to cause a reverse ratio to be engaged only upon sensing such conditions, to minimize accidental engagement of reverse ratios without requiring mechanical interlocks.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission having a hydraulic power transmission for transmitting the rotation of an engine to a gear shifter; a clutch to be applied, when a forward drive range is selected, for connecting the hydraulic power transmission and the gear shifter to one another; a one-way clutch to be locked, when the clutch is applied, for establishing a first forward speed of the gear shifter; a brake for locking the one-way clutch, when applied, to block the backward rotation of the output shaft of the gear shifter; a first hydraulic servo for applying the clutch when fed with an oil pressure; a second hydraulic servo for applying the brake when fed with an oil pressure; a stopping state detector that detects the stopping state of a vehicle by determining the vehicle speed is substantially 0, the accelerator pedal is in a released state and the foot brake pedal is depressed; a gradient detector that detects the gradient load of an uphill, as applied to the vehicle; and a controller that con

Abstract: A shift control apparatus for controlling a speed ratio of an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having an engine during running of the vehicle on a downhill road, on the basis of an actual acceleration value of the vehicle as compared with a reference acceleration value of the vehicle, the apparatus including a device for determining reduction of an actual output of the engine with respect to a desired output of the engine as represented by an operating amount of an accelerator pedal, and a device for reducing the reference acceleration value by a compensating amount which decreases with an increase in the running speed of the vehicle, upon determination of the reduction of the actual output of the engine.

Abstract: An automatic transmission control system, which applies an ordinary gear shift control map set up for flat road driving and a downgrade gear shift set up for downgrade driving which has broadened range of driving conditions for lower gears, causes gear shifts according to the ordinary gear shift control map even during downward driving when an accelerator pedal is stepped on with intention of accelerating the vehicle.

Abstract: A shift position is controlled so that a vehicle driving force becomes larger than a corrected vehicle running resistance obtained by adding a correction value corresponding to a surplus driving force to an original running resistance. When the automatic speed control device is operative to drive the vehicle at a constant speed, the correction value is switched to a smaller value compared with when the same is inoperative so that the upshift easily occurs during the constant speed drive.

Abstract: A controller (100 in FIG. 1) for relieving a gear shift shock in a vehicle, comprising an input torque calculation portion (131) which calculates the input torque (T.sub.t) of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism of the vehicle from engine r.p.m. (N.sub.e) and turbine r.p.m. (N.sub.e), a shift start recognition portion (134) which recognizes the real mechanical shift start timing of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism in accordance with the change of the input torque (T.sub.t), a line-pressure correction magnitude calculation portion (142) which calculates a line-pressure correction magnitude (.DELTA.PL) during the gear shift operation of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism when the shift start has been recognized, a standard line pressure calculation portion (143) which calculates a standard line pressure (PL), and a command line pressure calculation portion (144) which adds the line-pressure correction magnitude (.DELTA.

Abstract: A controller (100 in FIG. 1) for relieving a gear shift shock in a vehicle, comprising an input torque calculation portion (131) which calculates the input torque (T.sub.t) of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism of the vehicle from engine r.p.m. (N.sub.e) and turbine r.p.m. (N.sub.e), a shift start recognition portion (134) which recognizes the real mechanical shift start timing of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism in accordance with the change of the input torque (T.sub.t), a line-pressure correction magnitude calculation portion (142) which calculates a line-pressure correction magnitude (.DELTA.PL) during the gear shift operation of the stepped automatic transmission mechanism when the shift start has been recognized, a standard line pressure calculation portion (143) which calculates a standard line pressure (PL), and a command line pressure calculation portion (144) which adds the line-pressure correction magnitude (.DELTA.

Abstract: An automatic transmission system with a lock-up clutch for use with an engine includes an automatic transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft. A torque converter with a lock-up clutch is provided between the input shaft of the automatic transmission and an output shaft of the engine. A first device calculates a measure of time-domain variation in the rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine. A second device detects whether or not the measure of time-domain variation in the rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A third device changes the condition of the lock up when the second device detects that the measure of time-domain variation exceeds the threshold value. A similar system is operable when the second device calculates a measure of time-domain variation in the rotational speed of the output shaft or the input shaft of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A speed change control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a transmission control unit for controlling gear-changing. The control unit discriminates a fluid temperature/rotational speed zone based on the hydraulic fluid temperature and the engine speed at the start of gear-changing, and detects a time period from the end of dead-stroke elimination of an engagement-side hydraulic clutch to the start of actual gear-changing. In the case that a condition for executing learning correction is satisfied and if a time period from the end of the dead-stroke elimination to the start of the actual gear-changing is longer than an upper limit, the control unit increases a learning-correction time with which a dead-stroke-elimination time for the discriminated temperature/speed zone is calculated. The learning-correction time is decreased if such a time period is shorter than a lower limit.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automatic transmission including hydraulic friction elements each of which is operable between engaged and disengaged positions in response to a working pressure of hydraulic fluid supplied thereto so as to produce a selected one of a plurality of modes of gear change. The control apparatus is operable through successive operating modes including a precharge mode of precharging the hydraulic fluid to a corresponding one of the friction elements to complete a loss stroke of the friction element, a critical pressure retaining mode of retaining the working pressure at a critical value and a feedback control mode of controlling the working pressure. A different of the rate of change of the friction element input side speed sensed during the critical pressure retaining mode from the average rate of change of the friction element input side speed sensed during the precharge mode is calculated.

Abstract: An anti-hunt transmission control strategy for controlling an automatic transmission so as to prevent the occurrence of a shift hunting condition. The control strategy determines a learned vehicle inertia as well as road load torque and expected torque in an upshift gear. A projected post shift acceleration is predicted based on the expected torque, road load torque and inertia of the vehicle. If vehicle speed and throttle position are within an allowable shift zone and if the predicted post shift acceleration exceeds a threshold value, the vehicle automatic transmission is allowed to upshift. Otherwise, should the predicted post shift acceleration not exceed the threshold value, an upshift is prevented.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operation of a drive unit of a vehicle, including a drive machine and a transmission with at least two gears. A quantity that characterizes acceleration of the vehicle and a quantity that characterizes the power of the drive engine are continuously determined. A gear shift speed range and a second speed range bounded by a lowest and highest attainable speed in the target gear can be established for a gear shift process in the initial gear. The gear shift speed range is bounded at least by a lower gear shift speed and an upper gear shift speed and the second speed range is bounded by a lower target speed, as well as an additional speed. The gear shift process is initiated as a function of the determined acceleration. The lower target speed is achieved in a gear shift process in a first limiting stage (high acceleration at low input speeds or limited deceleration at low input speeds) during initiation of a gear shift at a number of gear shift speeds.

Abstract: A control system for an automatic transmission having a running status detector for detecting the running status of a vehicle to include an input torque from the engine; a running resistance estimator for estimating a running resistance on the basis of the running status of the vehicle; and shift characteristic changer for changing shift characteristics in accordance with the running resistance of the vehicle. The control system further comprises an engine output controller for reducing the output of the engine by a sub-throttle valve which acts independently of the driver at an overrun time of drive wheels; and an action status detector for detecting the action status of the sub-throttle valve. The running resistance estimator estimates the running resistance of the vehicle on the basis of the running status detector and the action status detector of the sub-throttle valve.

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 the numerical value of the engaged gear ratio (OS*GR) to develop control parameters indicative of drivetrain torque magnitude and/or phase without requiring a driveline torque transducer.

Abstract: A process is proposed for controlling an automatic transmission wherein a transition occurs from a first, lower reduction step to a second, higher reduction step when a first clutch disengages and a second clutch engages and a synchronizer speed is calculated by multiplying the transmission output speed by the reduction ratio of the second reduction step. A speed value, at which the pressure increase of the second clutch begins, is assigned to the synchronizer speed from a characteristic curve. The characteristic curve is adapted if the transmission input speed exceeds the synchronizer speed or if the gradient of the transmission input speed exceeds a limit value.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having an electronically controlled automatic transmission, a method of inhibiting upshifts determines torque and acceleration parameters of the output shaft of the transmission prior to and after a shift. An estimate of the output shaft moment of inertia is determined from the pre and post shift quantities and used in the inhibition of upshifts having inadequate torque capacity.

Abstract: A signal detector is located before an automatic transmission for detecting timing such that torque outputted from a torque converter of the automatic transmission at the moment of upshifting changes from clutch before shift to clutch after shift. A signal detector is located after the automatic transmission for detecting timing such that torque outputted from a torque converter of said automatic transmission at the moment of downshifting changes from clutch before shift to clutch after shift. An apparatus executes the driving shaft torque control in response to the changes in both torque signal detectors.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle automatic transmission, in which a gear ratio to be shifted to is determined based on the vehicle speed and throttle opening degree and a clutch is supplied with hydraulic pressure such that the rotational speed of the transmission input shaft concurs with a desired rotational speed change rate. The system includes means for discriminating whether the engine load fluctuates and the operation is discontinued when it is discriminated that the engine load fluctuates. Specifically, even when the accelerator pedal is operated only somewhat rapidly and the engine output is able to follow the change in the degree of throttle opening, the degree of throttle opening nevertheless differs between that at the start of gearshift and that in the course of gearshift thereafter, causing unexpected gearshift shock to occur. The arrangement can solve the problem.

Abstract: A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a first transmission gear unit equipped with a clutch to clutch shift mechanism and a second transmission gear unit which is operatively connected in series with the first transmission gear unit and which is equipped with a clutch to one-way clutch shift mechanism. A clutch controller controls the clutch-to-clutch shift mechanism and the clutch to one-way clutch shift mechanism in such a manner that rotational synchronization of the clutch to one-way clutch shift mechanism is caused to take place earlier than or at the same time as rotational synchronization of the clutch to clutch shift mechanism when gear shifting is effected over the first and second transmission gear units.

Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic is designed to prevent engine racing and clutch tie-up during a clutch-to-clutch shift (clutch switching shift) involving engagement/disengagement of first and second frictional engagement elements. The shift control system includes an engagement force controller for independently controlling both of the frictional engagement elements. A gear ratio calculator continuously calculates a gear ratio r of the transmission and a shift characteristic value calculator calculates a shift characteristic value .alpha. based on changes in the gear ratio between the start of the shift and completion of the shift. A control value calculator calculates a control value .beta., based on the shift characteristic value .alpha. calculated by the shift characteristic value calculator and a shift characteristic value .alpha.I on an ideal gear ratio curve. The control value .beta. is calculated so that the shift characteristic value .alpha. coincides with the shift characteristic value .

Abstract: A shift control system of an automatic transmission controls operating forces on frictional engaging elements being engaged and disengaged with gear elements during a shift operation by generating a target transmission variable which prevents a rate of change of a corresponding target input rotational speed from inverting at the start of the shift operation and/or at the end of the shift operation. The target transmission variable may be the target input rotational speed, a target gear ratio, or other variable corresponding to a target input rotational speed which has a rate of change gradually changing at the start and end of the shift operation so as to avoid any inversion of the rate of change within a predetermined duration after the start of the shift operation and within a predetermined duration before the end of the shift operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a rapid down-shift to meet an insufficient drive force due to an increase in running resistance such as when ascending a slope. Speed change control is carried out by selecting a speed change step based on the vehicle speed and throttle opening. When there is no speed change requirement, the current running resistance is computed, and the maximum drive force for the current speed change step computed. The maximum drive force is computed based on the down-shift throttle opening corresponding to the current vehicle speed on a down-shift line from the current speed change step to a speed change step on a lower speed side. The running resistance and maximum drive force are compared, and when the maximum drive force is less than the running resistance a forceful down-shift is made.

Abstract: With the present invention, it is possible for a vehicle to run on an uphill road at substantially the same throttle opening as on a horizontal road.When the road is uphill (hill-climbing resistance R.theta.>0), a maximum acceleration Amax for a full throttle opening is obtained according to a vehicle speed, and a maximum driving force Fmax=m.multidot.Amax+RL is calculated based on the mass of the vehicle m and the rolling and air resistance RL of the vehicle. Then, a correction coefficient HOS is obtained according to a throttle opening to calculale a required driving force Ftgt=Fmax.multidot.HOS. According to the required driving force Ftgt, hill-climbing resistance R.theta., and vehicle speed VSP, a target horsepower Ptgt=(Ftgt+R.theta.).multidot.VSP is calculated. To attain the target horsepower Ptgt, a target speed change ratio "itgt" for a continuously variable transmission is calculated to control the transmission.

Abstract: A shift map used for controlling the shifting of a transmission in an electric vehicle based on the accelerator opening degree and the vehicle speed as parameters has a medium shift stage region in a higher shift stage region established in a medium vehicle speed operation region at a lower accelerator opening degree. When the vehicle travels down a downward slope at the lower accelerator opening degree while generating a regenerative braking force, the transmission is downshifted from a higher shift stage to a medium shift stage to increase the regenerative braking force, thereby providing an enhancement in braking feeling and an improvement in energy recovery efficiency.

Abstract: A method/system for controlling an automated transmission is provided wherein upon assembly of a vehicle, the intercept (A) and slope (B) values defining the presumed linear relationship between engine deceleration rate and engine accessory torque (dES/dt rate=A+(B * T.sub.ACCES)) and/or the value of engine rotational moment-of-inertia (I) for that particular vehicle are determined and memorized. Thereafter, the transmission is controlled as a function of these determined values.

Abstract: A speed change control method controls changeover between gearshift positions of an automotive automatic transmission using a detected running condition parameter and a detected degree of necessity of engine braking. The degree of necessity of engine braking is detected using a neural network receiving the detected parameter as an input. Then, a shift pattern is preferably selected by fuzzy inference based on the detected parameter and degree of necessity of engine braking.