Patent ID: 6341679
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A control unit for a torque converter with a lockup mechanism, said torque converter including: an impeller member connected to an engine output shaft; a turbine member connected to a transmission input shaft; a stator member fixedly held; and a lockup clutch for engaging and disengaging said impeller member and said turbine member,said control unit, comprising: a surface temperature calculation unit calculating the surface temperature of a clutch friction material of said lockup clutch; a surface temperature comparison unit comparing the surface temperature of said clutch friction material calculated by said surface temperature calculation unit with a predetermined allowable temperature; and a friction material temperature reduction operating unit operating to reduce the surface temperature of said clutch friction material, wherein said friction material temperature reduction operating unit is operated, when the surface temperature of said clutch friction material is judged to be not less than said allowable temperature by said surface temperature comparison unit.