US3703109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic control device for automatic power transmission mechanism
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-09-29
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1990-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An electronic control device for an automatic power transmission mechanism that serves to effect smooth down shift by setting a neutral interval in accordance with vehicle speed and engine torque. In the control device, a first sensor electronically detects the vehicle speed and a second sensor detects the engine torque. A speed range indicating circuit receives output signals of the first and second sensors to generate a plurality of signals each indicating that the vehicle is running at a particular speed associated with the signal. A neutral interval adjustment circuit is provided to respond to the outputs of the first and second sensors and the plurality of speed range indicating signals so as to generate a pulse the width of which is equal to a proper neutral interval at the particular vehicle speed and engine torque. A command circuit is also provided to operate to hold the automatic power transmission mechanism in a neutral position for the duration of the pulse.
Inventors
- 👤 Namio Irie
- 👤 Masanori Mizote
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/04; F16H61/0437; F16H61/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
An electronic control device for effecting smooth downshift in an automatic transmission of an engine driven vehicle, the transmission providing forward first, second and third speed ratios and said electronic control device comprising, in combination, first electric means to produce a first variable voltage inversely dependent on vehicle speed; second electric means for producing a second variable voltage dependent on engine torque; comparing means electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages for producing speed ratio indicating voltages representing a first speed ratio, a second speed ratio and a third speed ratio in dependence on the relative values of said first and second variable voltages; a neutral interval adjustment circuit electrically connected to said comparing means and responsive to a change of said third speed ratio indicating voltage and said second speed ratio indicating voltage so as to produce a pulse signal, said neutral interval adjustment circuit also being electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages so as to increase the duration of said pulse signal when said first variable voltage decreases and to decrease said duration of said pulse signal when said second variable voltage increases; and a command circuit electrically connected to said neutral interval adjustment circuit and responsive to said pulse signal to cause said automatic transmission to shift to a neutral condition for the duration of said pulse signal for smooth downshift during said neutral condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
251 words
An electronic control device for effecting smooth downshift in an automatic transmission of an engine driven vehicle, the transmission providing forward first, second and third speed ratios and said electronic control device comprising, in combination, first electric means to produce a first variable voltage inversely dependent on vehicle speed; second electric means for producing a second variable voltage dependent on engine torque; comparing means electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages for producing speed ratio indicating voltages representing a first speed ratio, a second speed ratio and a third speed ratio in dependence on the relative values of said first and second variable voltages; a neutral interval adjustment circuit electrically connected to said comparing means and responsive to a change of said third speed ratio indicating voltage and said second speed ratio indicating voltage so as to produce a pulse signal, said neutral interval adjustment circuit also being electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages so as to increase the duration of said pulse signal when said first variable voltage decreases and to decrease said duration of said pulse signal when said second variable voltage increases; and a command circuit electrically connected to said neutral interval adjustment circuit and responsive to said pulse signal to cause said automatic transmission to shift to a neutral condition for the duration of said pulse signal for smooth downshift during said neutral condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
251 words
An electronic control device for effecting smooth downshift in an automatic transmission of an engine driven vehicle, the transmission providing forward first, second and third speed ratios and said electronic control device comprising, in combination, first electric means to produce a first variable voltage inversely dependent on vehicle speed; second electric means for producing a second variable voltage dependent on engine torque; comparing means electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages for producing speed ratio indicating voltages representing a first speed ratio, a second speed ratio and a third speed ratio in dependence on the relative values of said first and second variable voltages; a neutral interval adjustment circuit electrically connected to said comparing means and responsive to a change of said third speed ratio indicating voltage and said second speed ratio indicating voltage so as to produce a pulse signal, said neutral interval adjustment circuit also being electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages so as to increase the duration of said pulse signal when said first variable voltage decreases and to decrease said duration of said pulse signal when said second variable voltage increases; and a command circuit electrically connected to said neutral interval adjustment circuit and responsive to said pulse signal to cause said automatic transmission to shift to a neutral condition for the duration of said pulse signal for smooth downshift during said neutral condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
251 words
An electronic control device for effecting smooth downshift in an automatic transmission of an engine driven vehicle, the transmission providing forward first, second and third speed ratios and said electronic control device comprising, in combination, first electric means to produce a first variable voltage inversely dependent on vehicle speed; second electric means for producing a second variable voltage dependent on engine torque; comparing means electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages for producing speed ratio indicating voltages representing a first speed ratio, a second speed ratio and a third speed ratio in dependence on the relative values of said first and second variable voltages; a neutral interval adjustment circuit electrically connected to said comparing means and responsive to a change of said third speed ratio indicating voltage and said second speed ratio indicating voltage so as to produce a pulse signal, said neutral interval adjustment circuit also being electrically connected to said first and second electric means and responsive to said first and second variable voltages so as to increase the duration of said pulse signal when said first variable voltage decreases and to decrease said duration of said pulse signal when said second variable voltage increases; and a command circuit electrically connected to said neutral interval adjustment circuit and responsive to said pulse signal to cause said automatic transmission to shift to a neutral condition for the duration of said pulse signal for smooth downshift during said neutral condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electronic control device according to claim 1, wherein said neutral interval adjustment circuit comprises a first transistor connected at its base to a junction point on a line connecting said first and second electric means and a monostable multivibrator adapted to produce said pulse signal in responSe to said change from said third speed ratio indicating voltage to said second speed ratio indicating voltage, said first transistor being connected at its emitter to an input of said monostable multivibrator and controlling the duration of said pulse signal in response to the relative values of said first and second variable voltages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
120 words
An electronic control device according to claim 2, wherein said monostable multivibrator comprises a capacitor and a parallel circuit consisting of a first and a second resistor of said monostable multivibrator and of the resistance between the collector and emitter of said first transistor, said resistance being modulated in response to the relative values of said first and second variable voltages to vary the total resistance of said parallel circuit resulting in variation in the charging time of said capacitor and accordingly also in variation in the duration of said pulse signal, the charging time T being expressed by the formula as follows:T 0.7 X R X C, wherein R represents total resistance and C represents capacitance of said capacitor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |