192 clutches and power-stop control – Vortex-flow drive and clutch – With brake
Patent
1986-10-07
1988-11-22
Braun, Leslie A.
192 clutches and power-stop control
Vortex-flow drive and clutch
With brake
192 0076, 192 0084, 192 358, 74872, 74874, B60K 4128
Patent
active
047859172
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic transmission apparatus for a vehicle, which electronically controls a friction clutch interposed between an engine and a transmission, via an actuator, and also electronically controls the meshing position of the transmission through a gear position switching means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, in order to reduce the workload of drivers of large trucks or buses, an automatic transmission apparatus which can automatically select a speed ratio corresponding to the driving conditions of a vehicle, has been proposed.
Conventional automatic transmission apparatuses have been developed for small vehicles, and normally comprise a gear position switch means for a planetary gear transmission, in which a fluid joint (e.g., a torque converter) is inserted between the engine and the planetary gear transmission, and compressed oil is used as the control medium.
In the development of automatic transmission apparatuses for large trucks, it is preferable to utilize a conventional drive system (e.g., a friction clutch, a transmission, and the like), as well as conventional product lines, since the number of such trucks manufactured is much smaller than that of small vehicles, and designing a new and expensive purpose-made torque converter increases cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above situation and has as its object to provide an automatic transmission apparatus which utilizes a conventional drive system and can smoothly perform automatic transmission operations under electronic control.
According to the present invention, an automatic transmission apparatus is provided for a vehicle, comprising: a friction clutch coupled to an output shaft of an engine; a clutch actuator for operating the friction clutch; a parallel shaft-type gear transmission, an input shaft of which is coupled to the friction clutch; gear position change-over means for changing speed ratio of the transmission; a rack actuator for operating the control rack of a fuel injection pump for supplying fuel to the engine; and a control apparatus having drive state-detection means for detecting the drive state of the vehicle; gear change-judging means for judging, in accordance with a signal from the drive state-detection means, when the speed ratio of the transmission is to be changed; fuel quantity decrease-control means for operating the rack actuator in accordance with the signal from the gear change-judging means, to gradually move the control rack to an idling speed position; clutch disengagement means for operating the clutch actuator upon operation of the fuel quantity decrease-control means, to disengage the friction clutch; gear change control means for operating the gear position change-over means in accordance with engagement/disengagement of the friction clutch, so that the speed ratio of the transmission coincides with that determined by the gear change-judging means; fuel quantity increase-control means for moving the control rack after the operation of the gear position change-over means is completed, so that the rotational speed of the output shaft substantially coincides with that of the input shaft; clutch control means for operating the clutch actuator in accordance with a signal from the fuel quantity increase-control means, to move the friction clutch in the engagement direction; and rack-return control means for operating the rack actuator, to gradually move the control rack to a position corresponding to the degree of depression of an accelerator pedal (detected by the drive state-detection means) when the rack-return control means detects that a difference in the rotational speed of the output and input shafts (obtained from the drive state-detection means) has decreased below a predetermined value during operation of the clutch actuator.
According to the automatic transmission apparatus of the present invention, a conventional drive system, such as a friction clutch, a parallel sha
REFERENCES:
patent: 2781114 (1957-02-01), Slee et al.
patent: 3129795 (1964-04-01), Goeschel et al.
patent: 3645366 (1972-02-01), Numatawa et al.
patent: 4493228 (1985-01-01), Vukovich et al.
patent: 4523667 (1985-06-01), Smyth
patent: 4569255 (1986-02-01), Holmes et al.
patent: 4632231 (1986-12-01), Hattori et al.
patent: 4638690 (1987-01-01), Hattori et al.
Fukushima Shigeki
Iwamoto Tomoytuki
Kijima Nobuo
Tateno Toshiaki
Braun Leslie A.
Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Testardi David A.
LandOfFree
Control mechanism for automatic transmissions does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Control mechanism for automatic transmissions, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Control mechanism for automatic transmissions will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-430005