US3653281A — Automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism

Claim 1

Independent Claim 484 words

In a vehicle, an automatic transmission having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, said vehicle having an engine having an output shaft, said transmission including a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of said transmission, a gearing system friction engaging means for determining and actuating certain of such gearing, an oil pressure operative circuit for controlling the actuation of said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve, and a distribution valve for distributing the operative oil into said friction engaging means for actuating the selected gears, a signal generating means for generating electric signals determined by the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and vehicle speed, a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position by and upon detecting the gearing state of said transmission, a synchronous time retaining means for continuing the generating output electric signals in timed relationship upon initiation of the operation of said distribution valve, a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means in respect of the operating said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when a first input electric signal is applied to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when a second input signal is added to the other input terminal, an AND-circuit for generating an output signal when the electric signal for speed change into one of the gear positions from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into another gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for effectuating speed change into one of the gear positions by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of bistable memorial circuit, an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the other gear position from said running signal generator is present, an AND-circuit for effectuating speed change into the other gear position by adding an electric signal to the other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the one of the gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between the last named means and said bistable memorial circuit; a kickdown signal generator for applying a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit whereby said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal fRom said NOT-circuit included among the signals from said NOT-circuit and said bistable memorial circuit is erased, thereby to effectuate the kickdown effect from the one gear state position to the other gear state position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 484 words

In a vehicle, an automatic transmission having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, said vehicle having an engine having an output shaft, said transmission including a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of said transmission, a gearing system friction engaging means for determining and actuating certain of such gearing, an oil pressure operative circuit for controlling the actuation of said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve, and a distribution valve for distributing the operative oil into said friction engaging means for actuating the selected gears, a signal generating means for generating electric signals determined by the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and vehicle speed, a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position by and upon detecting the gearing state of said transmission, a synchronous time retaining means for continuing the generating output electric signals in timed relationship upon initiation of the operation of said distribution valve, a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means in respect of the operating said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when a first input electric signal is applied to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when a second input signal is added to the other input terminal, an AND-circuit for generating an output signal when the electric signal for speed change into one of the gear positions from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into another gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for effectuating speed change into one of the gear positions by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of bistable memorial circuit, an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the other gear position from said running signal generator is present, an AND-circuit for effectuating speed change into the other gear position by adding an electric signal to the other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the one of the gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between the last named means and said bistable memorial circuit; a kickdown signal generator for applying a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit whereby said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal fRom said NOT-circuit included among the signals from said NOT-circuit and said bistable memorial circuit is erased, thereby to effectuate the kickdown effect from the one gear state position to the other gear state position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 484 words

In a vehicle, an automatic transmission having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, said vehicle having an engine having an output shaft, said transmission including a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of said transmission, a gearing system friction engaging means for determining and actuating certain of such gearing, an oil pressure operative circuit for controlling the actuation of said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve, and a distribution valve for distributing the operative oil into said friction engaging means for actuating the selected gears, a signal generating means for generating electric signals determined by the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and vehicle speed, a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position by and upon detecting the gearing state of said transmission, a synchronous time retaining means for continuing the generating output electric signals in timed relationship upon initiation of the operation of said distribution valve, a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means in respect of the operating said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when a first input electric signal is applied to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when a second input signal is added to the other input terminal, an AND-circuit for generating an output signal when the electric signal for speed change into a higher stage gear position from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into one lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for effectuating speed change into the higher stage gear positions by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of bistable memorial circuit, an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the lower stage position from said running signal generator is present, an AND-circuit for effectuating speed change into the lower gear position by adding an electric signal to the other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from a higher stage gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between the last named means and said bistable memorial circuit; a kickdown signal generator for applying a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit whereby said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal from said NOT-means included among the signals from said NOT-circuit and said bistable memorial circuit is erased, thereby to effectuate the kickdown effect from the higher gear state position to the lower gear state position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 484 words

In a vehicle, an automatic transmission having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, said vehicle having an engine having an output shaft, said transmission including a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of said transmission, a gearing system friction engaging means for determining and actuating certain of such gearing, an oil pressure operative circuit for controlling the actuation of said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve, and a distribution valve for distributing the operative oil into said friction engaging means for actuating the selected gears, a signal generating means for generating electric signals determined by the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and vehicle speed, a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position by and upon detecting the gearing state of said transmission, a synchronous time retaining means for continuing the generating output electric signals in timed relationship upon initiation of the operation of said distribution valve, a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means in respect of the operating said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when a first input electric signal is applied to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when a second input signal is added to the other input terminal, an AND-circuit for generating an output signal when the electric signal for speed change into a higher stage gear position from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into one lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for effectuating speed change into the higher stage gear positions by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of bistable memorial circuit, an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the lower stage position from said running signal generator is present, an AND-circuit for effectuating speed change into the lower gear position by adding an electric signal to the other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from a higher stage gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between the last named means and said bistable memorial circuit; a kickdown signal generator for applying a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit whereby said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal from said NOT-means included among the signals from said NOT-circuit and said bistable memorial circuit is erased, thereby to effectuate the kickdown effect from the higher gear state position to the lower gear state position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 524 words

A vehicle having automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism which comprises providing a transmission with a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission; friction engaging means for actuating the gearing of said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means, said circuit having a manual speed change region determining valve, and the distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into sAid friction engaging means; a signal generator for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and car speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; synchronous time retaining means for continuing generating output electric signals for a certain time after the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for rendering conductive or non-conductive means for operating or discontinuing the operation of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when input electric signal is added to the other terminal thereof; an AND-circuit for generating output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into the high gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the one stage lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into high gear state by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating output electric signal when one of the electric signals for one stage lower gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into one stage lower gear position by adding electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the high gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; an AND-circuit for adding a signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit; a kickdown signal generator for imparting a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for adding output signal to said AND-circuit until the vehicle speed has arrived at the maximum limit capable of cruising in kicked down state; an AND-circuit for applying an output signal to said AND-circuit through said NOT-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for applying a signal when the number of revolutions of the transmission output shaft goes beyond the maximum limit capable of kickdown to said AND-circuit to whereby the high gear position signal from the gear position signal generating means is added to said AND-circuit when kicking from a one higher gear to a one lower gear position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 524 words

A vehicle having automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism which comprises providing a transmission with a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission; friction engaging means for actuating the gearing of said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means, said circuit having a manual speed change region determining valve, and the distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into sAid friction engaging means; a signal generator for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and car speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; synchronous time retaining means for continuing generating output electric signals for a certain time after the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for rendering conductive or non-conductive means for operating or discontinuing the operation of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when input electric signal is added to the other terminal thereof; an AND-circuit for generating output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into the high gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the one stage lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into high gear state by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating output electric signal when one of the electric signals for one stage lower gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into one stage lower gear position by adding electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the high gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; an AND-circuit for adding a signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit; a kickdown signal generator for imparting a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for adding output signal to said AND-circuit until the vehicle speed has arrived at the maximum limit capable of cruising in kicked down state; an AND-circuit for applying an output signal to said AND-circuit through said NOT-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for applying a signal when the number of revolutions of the transmission output shaft goes beyond the maximum limit capable of kickdown to said AND-circuit to whereby the high gear position signal from the gear position signal generating means is added to said AND-circuit when kicking from a one higher gear to a one lower gear position.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 516 words

A vehicle having automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism which comprises providing a transmission with a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the input shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission; friction engaging means for actuating the gearing of said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means, said circuit having a manual speed change region determining valve, and the distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into said friction engaging means; a signal generator for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump turbine and car speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; synchronous time retaining means for continuing generating output electric signals for a certain time after the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for rendering conductive or non-conductive means for operating or discontinuing the operAtion of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when input electric signal is added to the other terminal thereof; an AND-circuit for generating output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into one gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the other gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into the one gear state by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the other gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into the other gear position by adding electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the one gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; an AND-circuit for adding a signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit; a kickdown signal generator for imparting a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for adding output signal to said AND-circuit until the vehicle speed has arrived at the maximum limit capable of cruising in kicked down state; an AND-circuit for applying an output signal to said AND-circuit through said NOT-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for applying a signal when the number of revolutions of the transmission output shaft goes beyond the maximum limit capable of kickdown to said AND-circuit to whereby the one gear position signal from the gear position signal generating means is added to said AND-circuit when kicking from one gear position to the other gear position.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 516 words

A vehicle having automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism which comprises providing a transmission with a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the input shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission; friction engaging means for actuating the gearing of said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means, said circuit having a manual speed change region determining valve, and the distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into said friction engaging means; a signal generator for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump turbine and car speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; synchronous time retaining means for continuing generating output electric signals for a certain time after the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for rendering conductive or non-conductive means for operating or discontinuing the operAtion of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when input electric signal is added to the other terminal thereof; an AND-circuit for generating output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into one gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the other gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into the one gear state by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the other gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into the other gear position by adding electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the one gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; an AND-circuit for adding a signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit; a kickdown signal generator for imparting a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for adding output signal to said AND-circuit until the vehicle speed has arrived at the maximum limit capable of cruising in kicked down state; an AND-circuit for applying an output signal to said AND-circuit through said NOT-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for applying a signal when the number of revolutions of the transmission output shaft goes beyond the maximum limit capable of kickdown to said AND-circuit to whereby the one gear position signal from the gear position signal generating means is added to said AND-circuit when kicking from one gear position to the other gear position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 159 words

In a vehicle, a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump to be driven by an output shaft of an engine of the vehicle, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine driven by said pump, a gear transmission driven by said turbine and having a plurality of gear states some of which are higher than others, kickdown means coacting with said gear transmission for changing the latter from one gear state into a one-stage lower state, detector means coacting with said pump and turbine for detecting the slip ratio therebetween and for generating a corresponding electrical signal, and computer means operatively connected with said kickdown means for actuating the latter according to the presence or absence of a number of conditions, and said computer means being operatively connected with said detector means for receiving therefrom said signal according to the slip ratio for utilizing said signal as one of the conditions for determining actuation of said kickdown means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 159 words

In a vehicle, a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump to be driven by an output shaft of an engine of the vehicle, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine driven by said pump, a gear transmission driven by said turbine and having a plurality of gear states some of which are higher than others, kickdown means coacting with said gear transmission for changing the latter from one gear state into a one-stage lower state, detector means coacting with said pump and turbine for detecting the slip ratio therebetween and for generating a corresponding electrical signal, and computer means operatively connected with said kickdown means for actuating the latter according to the presence or absence of a number of conditions, and said computer means being operatively connected with said detector means for receiving therefrom said signal according to the slip ratio for utilizing said signal as one of the conditions for determining actuation of said kickdown means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 66 words

The combination of claim 5 and wherein said computer means includes a bistable memorial circuit electrically connected to said kickdown means for controlling the operation thereof, said bistable memorial circuit having a pair of terminals, a pair of AND-circuits operatively connected to said terminals, one of said AND-circuits receiving said slip ratio signal, and high and low gear position circuits respectively connected electrically to said AND-circuits.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 56 words

The combination of claim 6 and wherein said computer means includes an OR-circuit electrically connected to that one of said AND-circuits which is connected to said high gear position circuit, said OR-circuit receiving some of the slip ratio signals, and the AND-circuit whiCh is connected to said low gear position circuit receiving slip ratio signals directly.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 49 words

The combination of claim 7 and wherein said bistable memorial circuit has an output connected to said kickdown means and to said high gear position and low gear position circuits, and a NOT circuit interposed in the circuit from said bistable memorial circuit to said low gear position circuit.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 46 words

The combination of claim 8 and wherein said computer means includes a synchronous time retaining circuit interposed between the output of said bistable memorial circuit and both of said AND-circuits with a second NOT-circuit interposed between said synchronous time retaining circuit and both of said AND-circuits.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-04-04	1975-10-04	1976-04-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-04-04	1979-10-04	1980-04-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-04-04	1983-10-04	1984-04-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism

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