Control for automatic transmission

Claim 2

In an engine having throttle means, apparatus for generating a voltage corresponding to the position of said throttle means, comprising, in combination: magnetic means operatively associated with said throttle means; circuit means including a plurality of switch means and having an output terminal for supplying said voltage and changing the value thereof in a continuous stepped way when any one of said switch means is closed; said switch means being disposed in spaced relationship to each other and to said magnetic means; said switch means being closed by being energized by said magnetic means.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic means comprises a rotatable member coupled to said throttle means, and a magnet coupled to said member for rotation therewith; said switch means being disposed radially about the axis of rotatIon of said rotatable member at predetermined angles with respect to each other; said magnet being rotatable by said throttle means through each of said predetermined angles in turn in each of first and second directions; and wherein each switch means disposed at each angle through which said magnet has been moved in said first direction by said throttle means remains energized until said magnet has been moved in said second direction through said each angle, said each switch means thereafter being de-energized in turn.

Claim 4

Apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said switch means has a predetermined angle assigned thereto, each of said switch means being disposed relative to said magnetic means so as to be energized when a throttle angle as measured from a fully closed position of said throttle means becomes said predetermined angle, said magnetic means being designed so as to energize all of said switch means whose said predetermined angles are smaller than said throttle angle.

Claim 5

Apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said circuit means further comprises: a plurality of impedance elements each of which is connected in series with each one of said switch means to make a set of series combinations of one of said switch means and one of said impedance elements; an additional impedance element; and a source of electrical energy; each of said series combinations being connected in parallel with other of said series combinations to make a parallel combination; one terminal of said parallel combination being connected to one terminal of said electrical energy source, a second terminal of said parallel combination being connected with one terminal of said additional impedance element, a second terminal of said additional impedance element being connected to a second terminal of said electrical energy source; said output terminal being connected with said parallel combination second terminal.

Claim 6

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a further impedance element connected across said parallel combination.

Claim 7

Apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said switch means is de-energized when said throttle angle becomes an angle smaller than said predetermined angle assigned to each of said switch means.

Claim 8

Apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said switch means is de-energized when said throttle angle becomes an angle smaller than said predetermined angle assigned to each of said switch means.

Claim 9

Apparatus connected with a source of electrical energy for generating a voltage corresponding to throttle position of an engine having throttle means, comprising, in combination: magnetic means operatively associated with said throttle means; a plurality of switch means; a plurality of impedance elements each of which is connected in series with each one of said switch means to make a set of series combinations of one of said switch means and one of said impedance elements; an additional impedance element; and an output terminal for supplying said voltage; each of said series combinations being connected in parallel with other of said series combinations to make a parallel comination; one terminal of said parallel combination being connected to one terminal of said electrical energy source, a second terminal of said parallel combination being connected with one terminal of said additional impedance element, a second terminal of said additional impedance element being connected to a second terminal of said electrical energy source; said output terminal being connected with said parallel combination second terminal; each of said switch means having a predetermined angle assigned thereto, each of said switch means being disposed relative to said magnetic means so as to be energized when a throttle angle as measured from a fully closed position of said throttle means becomes said predetermined angle; said switch means being closed when said switch means is energized by said magnetic means; said magnetic means being designed so as to energiZe all of said switch means whose said predetermined angles are smaller than said throttle angle; each of said switch means being de-energized when said throttle angle becomes an angle smaller than said predetermined angle assigned to each of said switch means.

Claim 10

Apparatus connected with a source of electrical energy for generating a voltage corresponding to throttle position of an engine having throttle means, comprising, in combination: magnetic means operatively associated with said throttle means; a plurality of switch means; a plurality of impedance elements each of which is connected in series with each one of said switch means to make a set of series combinations of one of said switch means and one of said impedance elements; an additional impedance element; and an output terminal for supplying said voltage; each of said series combinations being connected in parallel with other of said series combinations to make a parallel comination; one terminal of said parallel combination being connected to one terminal of said electrical energy source, a second terminal of said parallel combination being connected with one terminal of said additional impedance element, a second terminal of said additional impedance element being connected to a second terminal of said electrical energy source; said output terminal being connected with said parallel combination second terminal; each of said switch means having a predetermined angle assigned thereto, each of said switch means being disposed relative to said magnetic means so as to be energized when a throttle angle as measured from a fully closed position of said throttle means becomes said predetermined angle; said switch means being closed when said switch means is energized by said magnetic means; said magnetic means being designed so as to energiZe all of said switch means whose said predetermined angles are smaller than said throttle angle; each of said switch means being de-energized when said throttle angle becomes an angle smaller than said predetermined angle assigned to each of said switch means.

Claim 11

Apparatus as recited in claim 8, further comprising a further impedance element connected across said parallel combination.