Method and apparatus for controlling continuously variable transmission

Claim 1

A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmissiion being shiftable between different reduction ratios and having a shift motor which is rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios, the method comprising: detecting a state wherein a rapid shifting between reduction ratios is needed and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; rotating the shift motor at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal; and rotating the shift motor at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for shifting between reduction ratios.

Claim 2

A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmissiion being shiftable between different reduction ratios and having a shift motor which is rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios, the method comprising: detecting a state wherein a rapid shifting between reduction ratios is needed and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; rotating the shift motor at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal; and rotating the shift motor at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for shifting between reduction ratios.

Claim 10

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios, the apparatus comprising: a shift motor rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios in the transmission; means for detecting a state wherein a rapid shifting between reduction ratios is needed and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; and means for rotating said shift motor at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal and at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for shifting between reduction ratios.

Claim 11

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios, the apparatus comprising: a shift motor rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios in the transmission; means for detecting a state wherein a rapid shifting between reduction ratios is needed and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; and means for rotating said shift motor at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal and at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for shifting between reduction ratios.

Claim 12

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine which is operatively connected to the continuously variable transmission, the continuously variable transmission having a V-belt running over a drive pulley and a driven pulley, at least one of which has a cylinder chamber and two conical discs, one conical disc being fixedly mounted to a shaft, the other conical disc being slidably mounted to the shaft and being controllably movable in an axial direction of the shaft in response to the fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber, the apparatus comprising: means for detecting vehicle speed of the automotive vehicle; means for detecting engine load on the internal combustion engine; means for retrieving a desired optimum reduction ratio for the detected vehicle speed and engine load and generating a desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal; means for an actual reduction ratio indicative signal representing an actual reduction ratio of the continuously variable transmission; means for comparing the actual reduction ratio indicative signal with the desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal to compute a difference therebetween and generating a difference indicative signal representing said difference; means for comparing said difference with a predetermined value and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal when said difference is greater than said predetermined value; a shift motor rotatable between a plurality of rotary positions thereof; means operatively connected to said shift motor to be actuated thereby for regulating fluid supply to and discharge from the cylinder chamber to determine fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber to adjust the continuously variable transmission to a reduction ratio corresponding to one of the plurality of rotary positions of said shift motor assumed by said shift motor; and means for rotating said shift motor at a first revolution speed until said actual reduction ratio indicative signal assumes a predetermined relation with said desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal, but rotating said shift motor at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal until said actual reduction ratio indicative signal assumes the predetermined relation with said desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal.

Claim 13

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine which is operatively connected to the continuously variable transmission, the continuously variable transmission having a V-belt running over a drive pulley and a driven pulley, at least one of which has a cylinder chamber and two conical discs, one conical disc being fixedly mounted to a shaft, the other conical disc being slidably mounted to the shaft and being controllably movable in an axial direction of the shaft in response to the fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber, the apparatus comprising: means for detecting vehicle speed of the automotive vehicle; means for detecting engine load on the internal combustion engine; means for retrieving a desired optimum reduction ratio for the detected vehicle speed and engine load and generating a desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal; means for an actual reduction ratio indicative signal representing an actual reduction ratio of the continuously variable transmission; means for comparing the actual reduction ratio indicative signal with the desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal to compute a difference therebetween and generating a difference indicative signal representing said difference; means for comparing said difference with a predetermined value and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal when said difference is greater than said predetermined value; a shift motor rotatable between a plurality of rotary positions thereof; means operatively connected to said shift motor to be actuated thereby for regulating fluid supply to and discharge from the cylinder chamber to determine fluid pressure in the cylinder chamber to adjust the continuously variable transmission to a reduction ratio corresponding to one of the plurality of rotary positions of said shift motor assumed by said shift motor; and means for rotating said shift motor at a first revolution speed until said actual reduction ratio indicative signal assumes a predetermined relation with said desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal, but rotating said shift motor at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal until said actual reduction ratio indicative signal assumes the predetermined relation with said desired optimum reduction ratio indicative signal.

Claim 18

A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios and having a shift motor which is rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios, the method comprising: detecting a demand for rapid acceleration wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed for increased engine speed and output and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; rotating the shift motor in a downshift direction so as to cause a downshift toward the large reduction ratio at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal; and rotating the shift motor in said downshift direction at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for downshifting toward the large reduction ratio.

Claim 19

A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios and having a shift motor which is rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios, the method comprising: detecting a demand for rapid acceleration wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed for increased engine speed and output and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; rotating the shift motor in a downshift direction so as to cause a downshift toward the large reduction ratio at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal; and rotating the shift motor in said downshift direction at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for downshifting toward the large reduction ratio.

Claim 20

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios, the apparatus comprising: a shift motor rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios in the transmission; means for detecting a demand for rapid acceleration wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed for increased engine speed and output and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; and means for rotating said shift motor in a downshift direction toward the large reduction ratio at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal and at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for downshifting toward the large reduction ratio.

Claim 21

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios, the apparatus comprising: a shift motor rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios in the transmission; means for detecting a demand for rapid acceleration wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed for increased engine speed and output and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; and means for rotating said shift motor in a downshift direction toward the large reduction ratio at a first revolution speed in response to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal and at a second revolution speed which is higher than said first revolution speed in response to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal thereby to shorten the time required for downshifting toward the large reduction ratio.

Claim 22

A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios and having a shift motor which is rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios, the method comprising: a first step of detecting a state wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; a second step of setting a timer to a first timer value; a third step of moving the shift motor by one unit in a downshift direction to cause a downshifting; a fourth step of decreasing content of said timer by one unit; a fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with a predetermined reference; a sixth step of setting the timer to a second timer value which is smaller than said first timer value; a seventh step of holding the shift motor; repeating, responsive to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal, a first routine including said first step of detecting said state, said second step of setting the timer to said first timer value, said third step of moving the shift motor by one unit in said downshift direction, and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference with the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference, and a second routine including said first step of detecting said state, said fourth step of decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, said fourth step of holding the shift motor and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined referenece; and repeating responsive to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal a third routine including said first step of detecting said state, said sixth step of setting the timer to said second timer value, said third step of moving the shift motor in the downshift direction by one unit and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference and a fourth routine including said first step of detecting said state, said fourth step of decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, said seventh step of holding the shift motor and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined reference.

Claim 23

A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios and having a shift motor which is rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios, the method comprising: a first step of detecting a state wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; a second step of setting a timer to a first timer value; a third step of moving the shift motor by one unit in a downshift direction to cause a downshifting; a fourth step of decreasing content of said timer by one unit; a fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with a predetermined reference; a sixth step of setting the timer to a second timer value which is smaller than said first timer value; a seventh step of holding the shift motor; repeating, responsive to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal, a first routine including said first step of detecting said state, said second step of setting the timer to said first timer value, said third step of moving the shift motor by one unit in said downshift direction, and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference with the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference, and a second routine including said first step of detecting said state, said fourth step of decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, said fourth step of holding the shift motor and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined referenece; and repeating responsive to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal a third routine including said first step of detecting said state, said sixth step of setting the timer to said second timer value, said third step of moving the shift motor in the downshift direction by one unit and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference and a fourth routine including said first step of detecting said state, said fourth step of decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, said seventh step of holding the shift motor and said fifth step of comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined reference.

Claim 24

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios, the apparatus comprising; a shift motor rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios in the transmission; means for detecting a demand for rapid acceleration wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed for increased engine speed and output and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; and means for repeating responsive to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal a first routine including setting a timer to a first timer value, moving said shift motor by one unit in a downshift direction to cause a downshifting and comparing the content of said timer with a predetermined reference when the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference and a second routine including decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, holding said shift motor and comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined reference; and repeating responsive to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal a third routine including setting the timer to a second timer value which is smaller than said first timer value, moving said shift motor in said downshift direction by one unit and comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference and a fourth routine including decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, holding said shift motor and comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined reference.

Claim 25

An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the transmission being shiftable between different reduction ratios, the apparatus comprising; a shift motor rotatable for effecting shifting between reduction ratios in the transmission; means for detecting a demand for rapid acceleration wherein a rapid downshifting toward a large reduction ratio is needed for increased engine speed and output and generating a rapid shifting need indicative signal; and means for repeating responsive to absence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal a first routine including setting a timer to a first timer value, moving said shift motor by one unit in a downshift direction to cause a downshifting and comparing the content of said timer with a predetermined reference when the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference and a second routine including decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, holding said shift motor and comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined reference; and repeating responsive to presence of said rapid shifting need indicative signal a third routine including setting the timer to a second timer value which is smaller than said first timer value, moving said shift motor in said downshift direction by one unit and comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer is not greater than said predetermined reference and a fourth routine including decreasing the content of said timer by one unit, holding said shift motor and comparing the content of said timer with said predetermined reference when the content of said timer stays greater than said predetermined reference.