Abstract: A control system/method for controlling a vehicle drive-train system including an internal combustion engine, a transmission and a centrifugal clutch for drivingly coupling an engine output to a transmission input shaft. A system controller issues command output signals for controlling engine speed in order to prevent damage and/or overheating of the clutch during periods of prolonged operation of the clutch in a partially engaged state.

Abstract: A motor vehicle (2) has a transmission (6) with an automated clutch (8) with a control device (20), a gas pedal, a brake pedal and an actuating element (28, 30, 32) which is released for activating an inching procedure. In the method for determining a defined inching procedure, time is measured by the actuating element (28, 30, 32) after the inching procedure has been activated and, after a reference value has been exceeded, the inching procedure starts at a predeterminable speed as long as neither the brake pedal nor the gas pedal has been activated.

Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission system blocks the disengagement of the clutch (14) and the shifting of the transmission (12) into neutral for starting the engine (10), if the transmission is already in gear at the time the system is switched on. The blocking is canceled if the main brake (58) is applied and the application of the brake (58) is confirmed by a brake sensor (56), or if the driver moves a shifter element (24) from a non-neutral shift-gate position to the neutral shift-gate position after the system has been turned on.

Abstract: An automatic-clutch control system of a transmission for a vehicle is arranged to calculate a deceleration of the vehicle when shifting is not being executed, when an automatic shift mode is being selected, when an idle switch is set at ON state, and when a brake switch is set at OFF state, and when the vehicle is being decelerated. Further, the automatic-clutch control system decreases an engagement force of the automatic clutch according to an increase of the deceleration and a decrease of a vehicle speed to vary the engagement state.

Abstract: An apparatus initiates the engagement of a clutch having an input member and an output member for selectively connecting an engine to a transmission in a vehicle having a brake pedal. The apparatus includes a sensor for generating a signal which is representative of the position of the brake pedal. The apparatus also includes a controller for generating control signal which is representative of an engagement rate of the clutch. The controller is responsive to the brake pedal position sensor signal for initiating the control signal when the brake pedal is not depressed by an operator of the vehicle. Lastly, the apparatus includes a clutch actuator for controlling the engagement rate of the clutch in response to the control signal.

Abstract: An automatic start controlling apparatus for automatically starting an internal combustion engine. A transmission is coupled to the engine. The transmission has a clutch, which is actuated by an oil pump other than the engine when the engine stops. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shaft is connected to the engine. The automatic start controlling apparatus has a controller. When the engine is automatically started, the controller detects whether the clutch is completely engaged. When the controller judges that the clutch is partially engaged, the controller reduces the output torque of the engine or limits an increase of the output torque.

Abstract: A vehicular transmission comprises an engine E, a continuously variable transmission CVT and a starting clutch 5. The driving force from the engine E is conveyed through the continuously variable transmission CVT with a speed change to a countershaft 2, and the starting clutch 5 is used to convey this driving force from the countershaft 2 to wheels of a vehicle. In this power transmission, when the vehicle is decelerated for a halt, the fuel supply to the engine is terminated to decelerate the vehicle. In addition, the starting clutch 5 is released gradually under a predetermined condition, and then the engine E is stopped to bring the vehicle into a halt.

Abstract: A driving force control unit for a vehicle, which allows transmission of driving force from a driving motor to driving wheels irrespective of releasing an accelerator pedal at a certain or lower vehicle speed when a transmission is selected to a running range, and which switches the magnitude of the driving force while the accelerator pedal is released at a vehicle speed no more than the certain vehicle speed between a greater condition and a smaller condition in accordance with depression of a brake pedal so that the driving force is made lower at a depression of the brake pedal than at a release of the brake pedal, wherein the driving force value in the greater condition at a certain or lower vehicle speed is changed according to the vehicle speed, and the change of the driving force value is characterized in that the driving force value becomes smaller as reaching from the vehicle speed at the maximum driving force value to the certain vehicle speed, and further switching the driving force, before stopping

Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission of a vehicle having a forward friction element for engaging or disengaging a turbine shaft with the automatic transmission in a forward running direction and a lock-up clutch for directly transmitting a rotation of an engine to the turbine shaft, comprises an abrupt deceleration control means for disengaging the forward engagement element and the lock-up clutch when an abrupt deceleration of the vehicle is detected, and a restoring means for canceling the abrupt deceleration control means and for restoring the forward friction element to an engagement state when an accelerator pedal is depressed for acceleration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic clutch intended for an engine-transmission unit in a vehicle with random gear changing. The gearbox comes into action automatically as soon as it has recognized the driver's intentions. Furthermore, the gear lever shift, the speed and the engine torque of the vehicle as well as the brake system action are monitored. As soon as the gear lever has shifted and the speed or the torque has fallen sufficiently and/or the brake system is actuated, the clutch is released.

Abstract: The power train of a motor vehicle has an automated clutch and a control unit which causes one or more actuators to change the rate of torque transmission by the clutch from the engine to the transmission of the power train in response to appropriate signals from various sensors. When the transmission is shifted into gear while the engine is idling, while the brake or brakes are not applied and while the gas pedal is not depressed, the setting of the clutch is such that the transmission causes the motor vehicle to carry out a crawling movement as a result of a change of the rate of torque transmission by the clutch from the idling engine to the transmission from a first value (e.g., zero) to a second value as a function of the monitored temperature of the clutch.

Abstract: A method of determining, during a clutch re-engagement process, the kiss-point of a vehicle clutch (14) having a driven plate (40) which drives a vehicle from an engine (10) via a multi-ratio transmission (12).

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic clutch in a motor vehicle drive train with a manually operated gearshift. If an accelerator pedal or the like used to control the engine and a vehicle service brake are not activated, the clutch is set at a creeping moment when a gear is engaged and the engine is running. When the service brake is actuated, this creeping moment is maintained for a predetermined time interval, decreased or suppressed in a time-delayed manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic clutch intended for use in an engine-transmission unit of a vehicle. When starting up, the clutch transmits first a high torque for a very slow speed, which is then reduced after a set lapse of time if a threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: An automatically controlled clutch is arranged between the engine and the driving wheels in the transmission line of a motor vehicle having a transmission which can be shifted manually in an arbitrary manner between idling and driving positions. A control device used for operating the clutch constantly determines the operating performance of the clutch and stores correspondingly adapted characteristic values.

Abstract: For an automatic gearbox (2) a safety system is proposed in which erroneous releasing of the clutch or brake during cross-over is detected by the fact that the time variations of the transmission input speed and of the product of the transmission output speed multiplied by the first reduction ratio do not increase.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for controlling creeping movements of a motor vehicle having a power train with an automated clutch between the engine and the transmission, an electronic control unit for the clutch, and sensors which transmit to the control unit signals denoting the condition of one or more brakes, the positions of an operator-actuatable load lever for the engine, and others. Signals from the control unit are utilized to operate the clutch and, to this end, the control unit includes an arrangement for effecting a creeping movement of the vehicle when the transmission is in gear, the brake or brakes is or are idle, and the load lever is actuated. Such arrangement can effect the transmission of torque in accordance with at least one first predeterminable function to thus induce a creeping movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: The actuating arrangement includes a torque transmitting system that includes a first device for initiating, discontinuing or regulating the transmission of torque. A transmission includes a second device for initiating a gear shifting operation within one of a plurality of gear shifting paths. The transmission further includes a third device for initiating the gear ratio selecting operation among the gear shifting paths. An electronic control unit is operatively connected to at least one actor. The at least one actor activates in a predetermined manner, one of the first device, second device and third device for the initiation of the transmission of torque, gear shifting or gear ratio selecting operation.

Abstract: An automated clutch between the engine and the variable-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is operated by a control unit which receives signals from several circuits and/or sensors via one or more conductors. The control unit shifts from a normal operating mode to an emergency mode when one or more sensors and/or circuits and/or conductors are defective. When in emergency mode, the control unit disengages the clutch when the driver starts the engine while the vehicle brake or the parking brake is applied. This ensures that the engine can drive the vehicle as soon as the transmission is shifted into a forward gear or into reverse gear and the application of the brake or brakes is terminated because the control unit is then again free to engage the clutch. Furthermore, such mode of operation enables the driver to shift the transmission into or from a selected gear in response to the application of a relatively small force to the gear shifting lever.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wherein the power train comprises an automated clutch between the engine and a manually shiftable transmission. The control circuit for the clutch is designed in such a way that the clutch is disengaged in response to actuation of the gear shifting lever simultaneously with one or more additional undertakings such as actuation of the gas pedal and of one or more brakes, a reduction of the speed of the vehicle below a preselected value, and/or many others.

Abstract: A power train in a motor vehicle has an automated clutch which is operated by a control unit by way of an actuator. The control unit receives signals from various parts of the engine, from the brake or brakes and from the transmission; such signals are processed and transmitted to the clutch by way of the actuator so that, when the vehicle is to carry out a crawling movement, the torque being transmitted by the then partly engaged clutch is properly related to the engine torque to ensure a predictable crawling movement of the vehicle regardless of eventual shifts of the operating point of the clutch and/or fluctuations of other parameters of the engine, transmission and/or clutch. The crawling movement can begin when the brake(s) is or are idle, the gas pedal is not depressed, and the engine is running; and crawling movement begins in response to shifting of the transmission into gear.

Abstract: An automatic clutch system includes an operating cylinder which is interconnected through a release lever with a friction element engaging mechanism. The operating cylinder is communicated with a master cylinder and an auxiliary cylinder through a hydraulic passage. A worm wheel driven by a motor has first and second connecting points which are oppositely disposed with respect to a rotation axis of the worm wheel. The first connecting point is interconnected with a piston rod of the master cylinder and has a first distance from the rotation axis. The second connecting point is interconnecting with a piston rod of the auxiliary cylinder and has a second distance from the rotation axis. The second distance is set smaller than the first distance so that the volume change of the auxiliary cylinder side is smaller than that of the mater cylinder side. Therefore, this cylinder arrangement functions stable to cancel a reaction force of a pressure spring of the friction element engaging mechanism to the worm wheel.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for controlling a damper clutch in a torque converter of a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors which sense the operating conditions of the vehicle. Based on the sensed operating conditions of the vehicle, a control unit determines whether the vehicle is driving in an area congested with traffic, and prohibits operation of the damper clutch when it is determined that the vehicle is driving in an area congested with traffic.

Abstract: In a method of controlling an automatic clutch arranged between an engine and a drive train of a vehicle in vehicle startup situations wherein the clutch is engaged to such a degree that only a small torque can be transmitted through the clutch and wherein the clutch is increasingly engaged when engine power output is increased, the clutch is immediately returned toward disengagement if, during vehicle startup, the engine power output requirements are suddenly reduced and, after a predetermined delay, the clutch is adjusted to the new situation that is to a standstill of the vehicle or to a renewed startup situation.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a clutch which is controlled by an electronic clutch management system. When the vehicle is in gear with the engine running and is stationary or almost stationary with no gas being given, the system causes the clutch to become engaged just enough to make the vehicle creep.

Abstract: A clutch operational control apparatus (75) controls an engaging force of a starting clutch (5) which is provided in a power transmitting path including an automatic transmission (CVT). The control apparatus comprises an idling state detector of an engine, a vacuum pressure detector for detecting an actual intake vacuum pressure of the engine, a range judging unit for judging a shift position of a manual shift lever, a target intake vacuum pressure determining unit for determining a target intake vacuum pressure, and clutch engaging force control means for controlling the clutch engaging force. The target intake vacuum pressure determining unit determines the target intake vacuum pressure based on the actual intake vacuum pressure when it is judged that the shift position is in the non-driving range and further when it is detected that said engine is in the idling state.

Abstract: A drive line device for an automotive vehicle is provided which includes a transmission and a clutch consisting of a flywheel connected to an engine and a clutch disc connected to an input shaft of the transmission. The drive line device includes a brake unit which applying a brake to a given peripheral portion of the flywheel so as to synchronize rotation of the input shaft of the transmission with rotation of an output shaft of the transmission when a gear shift is achieved.

Abstract: The clutch actuation system provides for control of the clutch of a manual transmission in a motor vehicle. By use of an electric motor with mechanical linkage, hydraulics, a vacuum booster and a gradual pressure relief valve a smooth easy control of the manual transmission is accomplished. The vacuum booster provides an assist to the hydraulic system when the clutch must be disengaged. The gradual pressure relief valve provides for a smooth transition in the hydraulic system to engage and disengage the clutch. An engine RPM sensor is provided to prevent the disengagement of the transmission by the brake switch except at low engine RPM. The rapid smooth assist is aided by the vacuum system of the motor vehicle. For certain motor vehicles the engine oil system is also used to assist.

Abstract: A brake system for an automobile comprises a planetary gear set, a clutch operating unit and an emergency braking unit. The planetary gear set is disposed between gear and clutch assemblies of the automobile and includes a bell-shaped casing with a central neck connected securely to an input shaft of the gear assembly. The bell-shaped casing has an annular wall portion with an internal thread therein, a sun gear disposed centrally in the casing and fixed to a clutch shaft of the clutch assembly which passes axially and centrally therethrough, and a planet gear which meshes with the internal thread of the casing and the sun gear. The planet gear has a planet shaft connected rotatably to a clutch shell of the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A control system/method for controlling the engagement and disengagement of a friction master clutch (16) in an automated mechanical transmission system (10) is provided. The control system/method is effective to minimize shift transient times and to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of cab lurch events.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a drive system consisting of an engine and an electrohydraulically actuatable automatic transmission connected to the vehicle body by resilient mounts. To reduce stationary vibration of the vehicle and engagement and disengagement shock, the engagement pressure of a clutch in the transmission is controlled so that the clutch begins to slip when the strain between the drive system and the vehicle body reaches a selected value. The strain is determined by detecting the displacement of the drive system with respect to the body or the torque in the drive system or the stress in the resilient mounts.

Abstract: This invention provides automatic and reliable determination of the touch point of a clutch controlled by an automatic clutch actuation controller. This invention determines the touch point upon power-up while idling the engine, with the transmission in neutral and an input shaft brake applied. The clutch actuation controller gradually engages the clutch so that the measured transmission input speed matches a reference speed signal preferably between 40 and 60% of the idle speed. If the actuation is slow enough, this reliably provides the degree of clutch engagement at a small torque matching the braking torque which is the touch point. If there is no previous knowledge of the touch point, the clutch is applied at a fast rate and an approximate touch point is determined, then the clutch is positioned below the approximate touch point and is again applied at a slow rate to more accurately ascertain the touch point.

Abstract: This invention provides automatic and reliable determination of the touch point of a clutch controlled by an automatic clutch actuation controller. This invention determines the touch point while idling the engine, with the transmission in neutral and an inertial brake applied. The clutch actuation controller engages the clutch so that the measured transmission input speed matches a reference speed signal preferably between 40% and 60% of the idle speed. This reliably provides the degree of clutch engagement at a small torque matching the braking torque. When the transmission input speed is within a predetermined amount of the reference speed signal, such as 4%, this invention determines the clutch touch point corresponding to the degree of clutch engagement. This degree of clutch engagement may be a clutch position signal or a clutch pressure signal produced by an existing sensor used in the automatic clutch control.

Abstract: There is provided a two-speed drive unit for a motor drive, the motor drive having a housing and a main rotatable member. The two-speed drive unit comprises a two-speed drive housing secured to the motor drive housing and a secondary motor secured to the two-speed drive housing. The motor shaft of the secondary motor extends into the two-speed drive housing. An oil-shear brake, exterior to the secondary motor, is operably attached to the driveshaft of the secondary motor to effect braking. The two-speed drive unit further comprises a gear train operably associated with both the secondary motor shaft and a clutch, the clutch being disposed between the gear train and the rotatable member of the main motor drive for engagement and disengagement of the gear train with the rotatable member of the main motor drive. The clutch is normally engaged by a plurality of coil springs and disengaged by the action of an AC voltage coil.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a clutch which is controlled by an electronic clutch management system. When the vehicle is in gear with the engine running and is stationary or almost stationary with no gas being given, the system causes the clutch to become engaged just enough to make the vehicle creep.