Electronic control for motor vehicle transmission

In combination in a power transmission system for a motor vehicle:

• a drive shaft rotatable at various speeds;
• signal generating means responsive to the speed of said drive shaft for providing an electrical input signal comprising a series of pulsed electrical signals which are variable in frequency and pulse width and whose frequency is related to said speed, each pulsed signal having a leading edge;
• a solenoid operable in response to an electrical output signal to effect operation of a clutch connectable to said drive shaft;
• and an electronic controller for receiving said input signal and for providing said output signal and comprising:
• a counter for measuring the length of the time interval between the leading edges of an incoming pulsed signal and the preceding pulsed signal, means for resetting said counter in response to each incoming pulsed signal, and means responsive to detection of a time interval of predetermined length between said incoming signal and said preceding pulsed signal to determine frequency and to provide said electrical output signal to said solenoid to operate said clutch.

In combination:

• apparatus comprising a first component operable at various speeds and a second component which is to be actuated when said first component reaches a predetermined speed;
• and control means for said apparatus comprising:
• signal generating means responsive to the speed of said first component for providing an input signal, said input signal comprising a series of pulsed signals which are variable in frequency and pulse width and whose frequency is related to speed, each pulsed signal having a leading edge;
• a transducer having means operable in response to an output signal to actuate said second component;
• and an electric controller for receiving said input signal and for providing said output signal and comprising:
• a counter for measuring the length of the time interval between the leading edges of an incoming pulsed signal and the preceding pulsed signal, means for resetting said counter in response to each incoming pulsed signal, and means responsive to detection of a time interval of predetermined length between said incoming pulsed signal and said preceding pulsed signal to determine frequency and to provide said output signal to effect operation of said transducer and said second component.

In combination in a power transmission system for a motor vehicle:

• transmission apparatus comprising a drive shaft rotatable at various speed and a solenoid-operated clutch which is to be actuated when said drive shaft reaches a predetermined speed;
• and control means for said transmission apparatus comprising:
• signal generating means responsive to the speed of said drive shaft for providing an electrical input signal, said input signal comprising a series of pulsed electrical signals which are variable in frequency and pulse width and whose frequency is related to speed, each pulsed signal having a leading edge;
• a solenoid operable in response to an electrical output signal to actuate said solenoid-operated clutch;
• and an electronic controller for receiving said input signal and for providing said electrical output signal and comprising:
• a counter for measuring the length of the time interval between the leading edges of an incoming pulsed signal and the preceding pulsed signal, means for resetting said counter in response to each incoming pulsed signal, and means responsive to detection of a time interval of predetermined length between said incoming signal and said preceding pulsed signal to determine frequency and to provide said electrical output signal to said solenoid to operate said clutch.

In combination:

• apparatus comprising a plurality of first components capable of changes in condition and a plurality of second components which are to be actuated when said first components undergo predetermined changes in condition,
• said first components including a rotatable component operable at various speed,
• said second components including a clutch component which is to be actuated when said rotatable component reaches a predetermined speed;
• and control means for said apparatus comprising:
• a plurality of signal generating means responsive to changes in condition of said first components to provide electrical input signals,
• said signal generating means comprising a first signal generating device providing digital signals indicative of a change in condition of an associated first component, a second signal generating device providing analog signals indicative of the magnitude of a change in condition of an associated first component, and a third signal generating device providing a series of pulsed signals which are variable in frequency and pulse width and in which the time interval between the leading edge of a pair of signals is indicative of the magnitude and rate of change in magnitude in the rotational speed of said rotatable components;
• and an electronic controller for receiving said input signals from said signal generating devices and for providing output signals to operate said transducers to effect actation of said second components,
• said electronic controller comprising:
• a counter for measuring the length of the time interval between the leading edges of an incoming pulsed signal and the preceding pulsed signal, from said third signal generating device, means for resetting said counter in response to each incoming pulsed signal, and means responsive to detection of a time interval of predetermined length between said incoming signal and said preceding pulsed signal to determine frequency and to provide said output signal to operate the transducer associated with said clutch component.