Torque converter lockup clutch control apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a lockup clutch provided in an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle including an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, comprising:
- cylinder output sensors provided for the respective engine cylinders, each of the cylinder output sensors including means sensitive to a cylinder pressure in the corresponding one of the engine cylinders for producing a sensor signal indicative of a sensed cylinder pressure level; and
a control unit coupled to the cylinder output sensors for operating the lockup clutch to provide a controlled degree of slip therein, the control unit including means responsive to the sensor signals from the respective cylinder output sensors for calculating an amplitude of engine output torque fluctuation resulting from different combustion efficiencies in the engine cylinders, and means for changing the degree of slip provided in the lockup clutch when the calculated amplitude exceeds a predetermined value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A torque converter lockup clutch control apparatus operates a lockup clutch to provide a controlled degree of slip between the converter cover and the turbine hub. Cylinder output sensors are provided for monitoring outputs produced in the respective cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The monitored cuylinder outputs are utilized to calculate the amplitude of fluctuation of the torque outputted from the engine. The degree of slip provided in the lockup clutch is changed when the calculated amplitude exceeds a predetermined value.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a lockup clutch provided in an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle including an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, comprising:
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cylinder output sensors provided for the respective engine cylinders, each of the cylinder output sensors including means sensitive to a cylinder pressure in the corresponding one of the engine cylinders for producing a sensor signal indicative of a sensed cylinder pressure level; and a control unit coupled to the cylinder output sensors for operating the lockup clutch to provide a controlled degree of slip therein, the control unit including means responsive to the sensor signals from the respective cylinder output sensors for calculating an amplitude of engine output torque fluctuation resulting from different combustion efficiencies in the engine cylinders, and means for changing the degree of slip provided in the lockup clutch when the calculated amplitude exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification