US 4,535,652 A · Automatic transmission and direct coupling clutch for vehicle

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic transmission for a vehicle comprising a torque convertor equipped with a rotary member on the input side and a rotary member on the output side; a semi-direct coupling clutch interposed between both of the rotary members, actuated by a control fluid pressure and capable of mechanically transmitting the torque between both of the rotary members while permitting the slip of rotation therebetween; an auxiliary transmission operatively connected to the torque convertor and adapted to effect the speed change operation in accordance with speed change ratios of a plurality of transmission stages; and a control apparatus for controlling the interconnecting force of the semi-direct coupling clutch in such a manner that the force becomes greater when the auxiliary transmission is operating at the speed change ratio of a higher transmission stage and becomes lower when the auxiliary transmission is operating at the speed change ratio of a lower transmission stage.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An automatic transmission for a vehicle, comprising:

a torque convertor equipped with a rotary member on the input side and a rotary member on the output side;
a semi-direct coupling clutch interposed between both of said rotary members and actuated by a control fluid pressure to mechanically transmit the torque between both of said rotary members while permitting slip of rotation therebetween;
an auxiliary transmission operatively connected to said torque convertor and adapted to effect a speed change operation in accordance with speed change ratios of a plurality of transmission stages;
and a control apparatus for controlling an interconnecting force of said semi-direct coupling clutch such that the force becomes greater in accordance with operation of said auxiliary transmission at the speed change ratio of a higher transmission stage and becomes lower in accordance with operation of said auxiliary transmission at the speed change ratio of a lower transmission stage.

1 more element

An automatic transmission for a vehicle, comprising:

a torque converter equipped with an input-side rotary member and an output-side rotary member;
an auxiliary transmission operatively connected to said torque converter and adapted to effect a speed change operation in accordance with speed change ratios of a plurality of transmission stages;
a semi-direct coupling clutch interposed between both the rotary members of the torque converter, said semi-direct coupling clutch being actuated by a control fluid pressure applied thereto in accordance with the operation of said auxiliary transmission at the speed change ratio of predetermined transmission stages, thereby mechanically transmitting torque between the input-side and output-side rotary members while permitting slip of rotation therebetween;
and a control apparatus for controlling the interconnecting force of said semi-direct coupling clutch by applying said control fluid pressure to the clutch such that the pressure is reduced by a pressure-reducing means in accordance with the operation of said auxiliary transmission at a speed change ratio of a lower stage of said predetermined transmission stages.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic transmission and direct coupling clutch for vehicle

Life of this patent

Automatic transmission and direct coupling clutch for vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9