Automatic gear shifting device

An automatic gear shifting device for use in an automobile, comprising:

• a transmission having gears assembled to be selectively shifted by a shift rod to transmit power from an engine to a drive axle of an automobile at a predetermined gear ratio and having a plurality of transmission gear positions each achieving a specific gear ratio, said shift rod having a longitudinal axis and being capable of moving longitudinally to perform the shifting of the gears and rotating with respect to the longitudinal axis to perform gear selection;
• a clutch device operable with a release collar and capable of engaging to transmit and disengaging to interrupt power from the engine to said transmission;
• detectors for detecting engine speed, automobile road speed, transmission gear position, clutch position, and for delivering electrical control signals responsive to engine speed, road speed, transmission gear position and clutch position;
• a trigger switch operable by an accelerator pedal;
• actuators operable by a working means for operating said shift rod of said transmission, engaging and disengaging of said clutch device, and opening and closing of a throttle valve of the automobile, said actuators comprising:
• a first actuator operatively connected to said release collar;
• a second actuator operatively connected to said shift rod to cause said shift rod to move longitudinally;
• a third actuator operatively connected to said shift rod to cause said shift rod to rotate with respect to its longitudinal axis;
• a fourth actuator for selectively preventing said shift rod from moving longitudinally;
• a fifth actuator for selectively preventing said shift rod from rotating with respect to its longitudinal axis;
• and
• a sixth actuator operatively connected to the throttle valve;
• valve means operable by electrical operation signals for admitting and interrupting said working means to said actuators;
• and
• a control unit adapted to receive said electrical control signals and produce electrical operation signals in response to said electrical control signals in accordance with a program to cause said valve means to operate so that the actuators and consequently the throttle valve, clutch device and transmission operate in association with each other to change the gear ratio to meet the driving speed and load condition of the automobile.