Control apparatus and method for engine-continuously variable transmission

Claim 2

A control apparatus for a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine having an intake pipe and a continuously variable transmission drivingly connected to the engine, comprising: an accelerator pedal sensor means coupled with the accelerator pedal for generating an accelerator pedal stroke electric signal indicative of a depression degree of the accelerator pedal; an engine revolution speed sensor means coupled with the engine for generating an actual engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of an actual revolution speed of the engine; means for generating an output electric signal indicative of a target engine revolution speed, said output electric signal generating means including an engine speed function generator means coupled with said accelerator pedal sensor means for generating a first target engine revolution speed electric signal which is a first predetermined function of said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a fuel supply device control function generator means coupled with said accelerator pedal sensor means for generating a target engine torque electric signal indicative of a target engine torque which is a second predetermined function of said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a comparator means coupled with said engine revolution speed sensor means and said output electric signal generating means for generating a deviation signal indicative of a difference between said actual engine revolution speed electric signal and said output electric signal; a shift control means coupled with said comparator means for varying a reduction ratio in the continuously variable transmission to vary the revolution speed of the engine in a direction to reduce said deviation signal; a fuel supply device communicating with the intake pipe and including a control element means for adjusting supply of fuel to the engine; and means coupled with said fuel supply device control function generator means for actuating said control element means in response to said target engine torque electric signal.

Claim 3

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a vehicle speed sensor means coupled with the countinuously variable transmission for generating a vehicle speed electric signal indicative of a vehicle speed; a selected shift position sensor means for generating a shift position signal indicative of a selected shift position by a shift lever; and wherein said output electric signal generating means includes a limit engine revolution speed function generator means coupled with said vehicle speed sensor means for generating a second target engine revolution speed electric signal which is a third predetermined function of said vehicle speed electric signal, and a switching means coupled with said engine revolution speed function generator means, said limit engine revolution speed function generator means and said selected shift position sensor means for allowing said first target engine electric signal to appear as said output electric signal when said shift position signal indicates that said shift lever is set to an ordinary drive range position and for allowing said second target engine revolution speed electric signal to appear as said output electric signal when said shift position signal indicates that said shift lever is set to one of a fixed reduction ratio position and a reverse drive position.

Claim 4

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said shift control means comprises: a line pressure regulator valve means for providing a line pressure; a shift control valve driver means coupled with said comparator circuit means for generating a first electric command signal in response to said deviation signal; and a shift control valve means communicating with said line pressure regulator valve means and coupled with said shift control valve driver means for controlling fluid supply to the continuously variable transmission and fluid discharge therefrom to vary the reduction ratio therein.

Claim 5

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said actuating means comprises: a fuel supply device actuator driver means coupled with said fuel supply device control function generator means for generating a second electric command signal in response to said target engine torque electric signal; and a fuel supply device actuator means coupled with said fuel supply device actuator driver means and coupled with said control element means for actuating said control element means in response to said second electric command signal.

Claim 6

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein said fuel supply device is a carburetor and said control element means is a throttle valve of said carburetor mounted within the intake pipe.

Claim 7

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said target engine torque is represented by an opening degree of the throttle valve.

Claim 8

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said target engine torque is represented by an intake manifold vacuum.

Claim 9

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, wherein said fuel supply device is a fuel injection pump and said control element means is a control lever of said fuel injection pump.

Claim 10

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said target engine torque is represented by a position of said control lever of said fuel injection pump.

Claim 11

A control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a desired horsepower of the engine increases as the depression degree of the accelerator pedal indicated by said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal increases, and wherein said first and second predetermined functions define a pair of a desired value of said target engine torque electric signal and a desired value of said first target engine revolution speed electric signal for said desired horsepower output, said pair providing an operating condition wherein the engine operates at the least fuel consumption rate for production of said desired horsepower output.

Claim 12

A control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein a desired horsepower output of the engine increases as the depression degree of the accelerator pedal indicated by said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal increases, and wherein said first and second predetermined function define a pair of a desired value of said target engine torque electric signal and a desired value of said first target engine revolution speed electric signal for said desired horsepower output, said pair providing an operating condition wherein the engine operates at the least fuel consumption rate for production of said desired horsepower output as long as said value of said first target engine revolution speed is higher than a predetermined engine revolution speed, and wherein said first predetermined function defines said predetermined engine revolution speed when an operating condition wherein the engine operates at the least fuel consumption rate for production of said desired horsepower output demands an engine revolution speed lower than said predetermined engine revolution speed.

Claim 13

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the continuously variable transmission has a V-belt running over a drive pulley and a driven pulley, each having a cylinder chamber and two conical discs, one conical disc of the drive pulley being secured to a drive shaft, one conical disc of the driven pulley being secured to a driven shaft, the other conical disc of the drive pulley being controllably movable in an axial direction of the drive shaft in response to fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber thereof, the other conical disc of the driven pulley being controllably movable in an axial direction of the driven shaft in response to fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber thereof, wherein said first electric command signal is in the form of an electric current increasing and decreasing from a reference electric current, and wherein said shift control valve means is in the form of an electric current to hydraulic fluid pressure converter and controls fluid supply to and fluid discharge from the cylinder chamber of the drive pulley and the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley such that when said first electric command signal is equal to said reference electric current, fluid pressure within the cylinder chamber of the drive pulley is equal to that within the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley, when said first electric command signal is increased from said reference electric current, fluid pressure within the cylinder chamber of one of the drive and driven pulleys is decreased, and when said first electric command signal is decreased from said reference electric current, fluid pressure within the cylinder chamber of the other one of said drive and driven pulleys is decreased.

Claim 14

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said shift control valve means comprises: a valve body formed with a first valve bore, a second valve bore and a third valve bore, said first valve bore having a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port and a fifth port which are arranged such that said second port and fourth port are disposed between said first port and fifth port and said third port is disposed between said second port and fourth port; said first port and fifth port communicating with said line pressure regulator valve means to receive the line pressure therefrom, said third port serving as a drain port; a first spool slidably disposed in said first valve bore, the first spool having a first land, a second land and a third land and defining a first chamber between said first and second lands and a second chamber between said second and third lands; said first spool having a position wherein said second land agrees with and covers said third port, said first land uncovers said first port to form a clearance communicating with said first chamber and said third land uncovers said fifth port to form a clearance communicating with said second chamber; said first chamber communicating with the cylinder chamber of the drive pulley via said second port, said second chamber communicating with the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley via said fourth port; a second spool slidably disposed in said second valve bore and defining on a side near said first valve bore a third chamber communicating with said line pressure regulator valve means and on a side remote from said first valve bore a fourth chamber communicating with the cylinder chamber of the driven pulley; said second spool having a rod thereon extending through a partition wall between said first valve bore and second valve bore and contacting with the adjacent one of ends of said first spool; a spring disposed in said fourth chamber biasing said second spool toward said first spool; a third spool slidably disposed in said third valve bore and defining on a side near said first valve bore a chamber communicating with said line pressure regulator valve means and on a side remote from said first valve bore a chamber communicating with the cylinder chamber of the drive pulley; said third spool having a rod thereon extending through a partition wall between said first valve bore and third valve bore and contacting with the other of said ends of said first spool; a solenoid having a push rod contacting with said third spool to bias same toward said first spool with a force responsive to electric current passing through said solenoid; the force of said spring being so selected as to be equal in magnituide to the force of said push rod of said solenoid when said reference electric current is supplied to said solenoid.

Claim 15

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said first electric command signal results from adding to said reference electric current an electric current varying in direct proportional to said deviation signal generated by said comparator means.

Claim 16

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein said first electric command signal results from adding to said reference electric current an electric current varying in direct proportional to said deviation signal generated by said comparator circuit and an electric current varying in direct proportional to the integration of said deviation signal.

Claim 17

A control apparatus as claimed any one of the preceding claims 2 to 15, wherein said third predetermined function defines a predetermined lower limit target engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of a constant lower limit engine revolution speed when said vehicle speed electric signal is smaller than a first predetermined value, a predetermined target lower limit engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of a constant upper limit engine revolution speed when said vehicle speed electric signal is larger than a second predetermined value which is larger than said first predetermined value, and an inclined target engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of an engine revolution speed varying from said constant lower limit engine revolution speed to said constant upper limit engine revolution speed when said vehicle speed electric signal is between said first and second predetermined values.

Claim 18

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the continuously variable transmission has a V-belt running over a drive pulley and a driven pulley, each having a cylinder chamber and two conical discs, one conical disc of the drive pulley being secured to a drive shaft, one conical disc of the driven pulley being secured to a driven shaft, the other conical disc of the drive pulley being controllably movable in an axial direction of the drive shaft in response to fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber thereof, the other conical disc of the driven pulley being controllably movable in an axial direction of the driven shaft in response to fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber thereof, and wherein said shift control means comprises: a shift control valve driver means coupled with said comparator means for generating a first command electric signal in response to said deviation signal; pumping means for the hydraulic fluid; means for regulating the fluid supplied by said pumping means to provide a line pressure which varies in direct proportional to the reduction ratio between the drive and driven pulleys and in inverse proportional to an intake manifold vacuum; a shift control valve means connected to said line pressure regulator valve means to receive said line pressure and coupled with said shift control valve driver means for controlling fluid supply to both of the cylinder chambers and fluid discharge therefrom in response to said first command electric signal.

Claim 19

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for regulating the fluid comprising: a reduction ratio arithmetic operation circuit means coupled with said engine revolution speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for generating a reduction ratio electric signal indicative of a reduction ratio between said drive and driven pulleys; a required line pressure function generator means coupled with said reduction ratio arithmetic operation circuit for generating a required line pressure electric signal which is a predetermined function of said reduction ratio electric signal; a line pressure regulator valve driver means coupled with said required line pressure function generator means for generating a line pressure command electric signal in response to said required line pressure electric signal; and a line pressure regulator valve means coupled with said line pressure regulator valve driver means and communicating with the intake pipe for regulating the fluid supplied by said pumping means to provide said line pressure in response to said line pressure command electric signal and the intake manifold vacuum within the intake pipe.

Claim 20

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said line pressure regulator valve means comprises: a valve body having a valve bore; a spool disposed within said valve bore, said spool having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion; means defining a passage communicating with said pumping means to receive fluid therefrom; said small diameter portion defining within said valve bore a first chamber communicating with said passage, said small diameter portion and said large diameter portion defining therebetween a second chamber which is drained; said valve body having a port communicating with said second chamber and said passage; said small diameter portion being exposed to fluid pressure within said first chamber to bias said spool in a first direction away from said first chamber; means responsive to said line pressure command signal and intake manifold vacuum for pushing said spool in a second direction opposite to said first direction with a force variable in direct proportional to the reduction ratio and in inverse proportional to the intake manifold vacuum; said large diameter portion covering said port to decrease an opening area to said second chamber when said spool moves in said second direction and uncovering said port to increase the opening area to said second chamber when said spool moves in said first direction.

Claim 21

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said pushing means comprises: a spring means for biasing said spool in said second direction; a diaphragm device having a housing and a diaphragm within said housing to define a vacuum chamber communicating with the intake pipe to receive the intake manifold vacuum, and a hollow push rod attached to said diaphragm and contacting with said spool, and a diaphragm spring disposed within said vacuum chamber biasing said hollow push rod against said spool; a solenoid device having a push rod extending through said hollow push rod and contacting with said spool, a solenoid spring disposed within said vacuum chamber biasing said solenoid push rod against said spool and a solenoid for pulling said solenoid push rod against said solenoid spring with a force variable in direct propotional to electric current passing through said solenoid; said line pressure command electric signal being in the form of an electric current which passes through said solenoid and which decreases as the reduction ratio increases.

Claim 22

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for regulating the fluid comprising: a vacuum sensor means for generating an intake manifold vacuum electric signal indicative of an intake manifold vacuum within the intake pipe; a reduction ratio arithmetic operation circuit means coupled with said engine revolution speed sensor means and said vehicle speed sensor means for generating a reduction ratio electric signal indicative of a reduction ratio between said drive and driven pulleys; a required line pressure function generator means coupled with said reduction ratio arithmetic operation circuit and said vacuum sensor means, for generating a required line pressure electric signal which is a predetermined function of said reduction ratio electric signal and intake manifold vacuum electric signal; a line pressure regulator valve driver means coupled with said required line pressure function generator means for generating a line pressure command electric signal in response to said required line pressure signal; and a line pressure regulator valve means coupled with said line pressure regulator valve driver means for regulating the fluid supplied by said pumping means to provide said line pressure in response to said line pressure command electric signal.

Claim 23

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said line pressure regulator valve means comprises: a valve body having a valve bore; a spool disposed within said valve bore, said spool having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion; means defining a passage communicating with said pumping means to receive fluid therefrom; said small diameter portion defining within said valve bore a first chamber communicating with said passage, said small diameter portion and said large diameter portion defining therebetween a second chamber which is drained; said valve body having a port communicating with said second chamber and said passage; said small diameter portion being exposed to fluid pressure within said first chamber to bias said spool in a first direction away from said first chamber; means responsive to said line pressure command electric signal for pushing said spool in a second direction opposite to said first direction with a force variable in direct proportional to the reduction ratio and in inverse proportional to the intake manifold vacuum; said large diameter portion covering said port to decrease an opening area to said second chamber when said spool moves in said second direction and uncovering said port to increase the opening area to said second chamber when said spool moves in said first direction.

Claim 24

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said pushing means comprises: a solenoid device having a push rod contacting with said spool, a solenoid spring biasing said solenoid push rod against said spool and a solenoid for pulling said solenoid push rod against said solenoid spring with a force variable in direct propotional to electric current passing through said solenoid; and a spring biasing said spool in said second direction.

Claim 25

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said means for regulating the fluid comprises: a valve body having a valve bore; a spool disposed within said valve bore, said spool having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion; means defining a passage communicating with said pumping means to receive fluid therefrom; said small diameter portion defining within said valve bore a first chamber communicating with said passage, said small diameter portion and said large diameter portion defining therebetween a second chamber which is drained; said valve body having a port communicating with said second chamber and said passage; said small diameter portion being exposed to fluid pressure within said first chamber to bias said spool in a first direction away from said first chamber; means responsive to reduction ratio between the drive and driven pulleys and intake manifold vacuum for pushing said spool in a second direction opposite to said first direction with a force variable in direct proportional to the reduction ratio and in inverse proportional to the intake manifold vacuum; said large diameter portion covering said port to decrease an opening area to said second chamber when said spool moves in said second direction and uncovering said port to increase the opening area to said second chamber when said spool moves in said first direction.

Claim 26

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said pushing means comprises: a lever swingable on a movable fulcrum point, said lever having one end operatively connected with said spool to bias said spool in said second direction; a spring means for biasing the other end of said lever; a diaphragm device having a housing, a diaphragm within said housing to define a vacuum chamber communicating with the intake pipe to receive the intake manifold vacuum, a push rod attached to said diaphragm and contacting with said other end of said lever, and a diaphragm spring disposed within said vacuum chamber for biasing said push rod against said other end of said lever; and mechanical means for moving said movable fulcrum in a longitudinal direction of said lever in response to movement of the movable conical disc of one of the drive and driven pulleys.

Claim 27

A control apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said mechanical means for moving said movable fulcrum comprises a rod having one end portion engaging in said movable conical disc and other end carrying a roller on which said lever is swingable, said rod moving in a longitudinal direction thereof in response to movement of said movable conical disc.

Claim 28

A control apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a safety throttle valve mounted within the intake pipe so as to control the passage area of the intake pipe, and a mechanical means for connecting said safety throttle valve to the accelerator pedal so as to control the opening degree of the safety throttle valve in response to the depression degree of the accelerator pedal such that said safety throttle valve is fully opened before the depression degree of the accelerator pedal becomes maximum.

Claim 29

A control appratus for a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine having an intake pipe, comprising: an accelerator pedal sensor means coupled with the accelerator pedal for generating an accelerator pedal stroke electric signal indicative of a depression degree of the accelerator pedal; a fuel supply device communicating with the intake pipe to supply fuel into the intake pipe; means for controlling said fuel supply device in response to said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a safety throttle valve disposed within the intake pipe; and a mechanical means for connecting said safety throttle valve to the accelerator pedal so as to control the opening degree of said safety throttle valve in response to depression degree of the accelerator pedal such that the safety throttle valve is fully opened before the depression degree of the accelerator pedal becomes maximum.

Claim 30

A control appratus for a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine having an intake pipe, comprising: an accelerator pedal sensor means coupled with the accelerator pedal for generating an accelerator pedal stroke electric signal indicative of a depression degree of the accelerator pedal; a fuel supply device communicating with the intake pipe to supply fuel into the intake pipe; means for controlling said fuel supply device in response to said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a safety throttle valve disposed within the intake pipe; and a mechanical means for connecting said safety throttle valve to the accelerator pedal so as to control the opening degree of said safety throttle valve in response to depression degree of the accelerator pedal such that the safety throttle valve is fully opened before the depression degree of the accelerator pedal becomes maximum.

Claim 31

A control appratus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said mechanical means comprises: a return spring means for biasing said safety throttle valve into a fully closed position; a stationary portion; a wire having one end connecting to said safety throttle valve and passing through said stationary portion, said wire having an other end; a stop fixed to said wire and disposed between said stationary portion and said safety throttle valve; a spring having one end connected to said other end of said wire and an other end; a mechanical linkage having one end connected to said other end of said spring and an other end connected to the accelerator pedal, said mechanical linkage being so constructed and arranged as to pull said spring in a direction tending to open said safety throttle valve as the depression degree of the accelerator pedal increases; said stop coming into contact with said stationary portion when said safety throttle valve is fully opened before the depression degree of the accelerator pedal becomes maximum and stopping further movement of said wire when the accelerator pedal is depressed further; said spring extending to allow further depression of the accelerator pedal after said stop has come into contact with said stationary portion.

Claim 32

A control method for a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine having an intake pipe, a fuel supply device communicating with the intake pipe and including a control element means for adjusting supply of fuel to the engine, and a continuously variable transmission drivingly connected to the engine, comprising: a step of generating an accelerator pedal stroke electric signal indicative of a depression degree of the accelerator pedal; a step of generating an actual engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of an actual revolution speed of the engine; a step of generating an output electric signal indicative of a target engine revolution speed, said step of generating the output electric signal including a step of generating a first target engine revolution speed electric signal which is a first predetermined function of said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a step of generating a target engine torque electric signal indicative of a target engine torque which is a second predetermined function of said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a step of generating a deviation signal indicative of a difference between said actual engine revolution speed electric signal and said output electric signal; a step of varying a reduction ratio in the continuously variable transmission to vary the revolution speed of the engine in a direction to reduce said deviation signal; and a step of actuating the control element means of the fuel supply device in response to said target engine torque electric signal.

Claim 33

A control method for a motor vehicle having an accelerator pedal, an engine having an intake pipe, a fuel supply device communicating with the intake pipe and including a control element means for adjusting supply of fuel to the engine, and a continuously variable transmission drivingly connected to the engine, comprising: a step of generating an accelerator pedal stroke electric signal indicative of a depression degree of the accelerator pedal; a step of generating an actual engine revolution speed electric signal indicative of an actual revolution speed of the engine; a step of generating an output electric signal indicative of a target engine revolution speed, said step of generating the output electric signal including a step of generating a first target engine revolution speed electric signal which is a first predetermined function of said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a step of generating a target engine torque electric signal indicative of a target engine torque which is a second predetermined function of said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal; a step of generating a deviation signal indicative of a difference between said actual engine revolution speed electric signal and said output electric signal; a step of varying a reduction ratio in the continuously variable transmission to vary the revolution speed of the engine in a direction to reduce said deviation signal; and a step of actuating the control element means of the fuel supply device in response to said target engine torque electric signal.

Claim 34

A control method as claimed in claim 30, further comprising: a step of generating a vehicle speed electric signal indicative of a vehicle speed; a step of generating a shift position signal indicative of a selected shift position by a shift lever; and wherein said step of generating the output electric signal includes a step of generating a second target engine revolution speed electric signal which is a third predetermined function of said vehicle speed electric signal, and a step of allowing said first target engine electric signal to appear as said output electric signal when said shift position signal indicates that said shift lever is set to an ordinary drive range position and for allowing said second target engine revolution speed electric signal to appear as said output electric signal when said shift position signal indicates that said shift lever is set to one of a fixed reduction ratio position and a reverse drive position.

Claim 35

A control method as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein the fuel supply device is a carburetor and said control element means is a throttle valve of the carburetor mounted within the intake pipe.

Claim 36

A control method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said target engine torque is represented by an opening degree of the throttle valve.

Claim 37

A control method as claimed in claim 32, wherein said target engine torque is represented by an intake manifold vacuum.

Claim 38

A control method as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein the fuel supply device is a fuel injection pump and said control element means is a control lever of said fuel injection pump.

Claim 39

A control method as claimed in claim 35, wherein said target engine torque is represented by a position of said control lever of said fuel injection pump.

Claim 40

A control method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 30 to 36, wherein a desired horsepower of the engine increases as the depression degree of the accelerator pedal indicated by said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal increases, and wherein said first and second predetermined functions define a pair of a value of said target engine torque electric signal and a value of said first target engine revolution speed electric signal for said desired horsepower output, said pair providing an operating condition wherein the engine operates at the least fuel consumption rate for production of said desired horsepower output.

Claim 41

A control method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 30 to 36, wherein a desired horsepower output of the engine increases as the depression degree of the accelerator pedal indicated by said accelerator pedal stroke electric signal increases, and wherein said first and second predetermined function define a pair of a value of said control electric signal and a value of said first target engine revolution speed electric signal for said desired horsepower output, said pair providing an operating condition wherein the engine operates at the least fuel consumption rate for production of said desired horsepower output as long as said value of said first target engine revolution speed is higher than a predetermined engine revolution speed, and wherein said first predetermined function defines said predetermined engine revolution speed when an operating condition wherein the engine operates at the least fuel consumption rate for production of said desired horsepower output demands an engine revolution speed lower than said predetermined engine revolution speed.