Patent GB-1140450-A (GB)
Title: Hydraulically controlled automatic speed change device
Inventor: MORI YOICHI
IPC: F16H61/02
Filed: 1967-05-15
Abstract: 1,140,450. Controlling change-speed gears. NISSAN JIDOSHA K.K. 15 May, 1967 [19 May, 1966; 31 March, 1967], No. 22408/67. Heading F2D. In a four-speed and reverse planetary gear A, combined with a hydrodynamic torque converter V and having an hydraulic automatic control system, comprising a sun gear S 1  which may be held by a brake B 2  or clutched to the torque converter turbine T by a reverse clutch C 3 , a sun gear S 2  clutchable to the turbine T by a forward clutch C 1 , an output annulus gear R, and a planet carrier K which may be held by a one-way detent C 4  or a brake B 1  and which carries intermeshed planets P 1 , P 2  of which P 1  also mesh sun S 1  and annulus R, and P 2  also mesh sun S 2 , the carrier K is clutchable to the torque converter impeller P by a clutch C 2 - or in a second embodiment (Fig. 5, not shown) to the turbine T. Function summary.-With a manual selector valve 60 set at Dr, automatic shifts between the four forward ratios are effected by shift valves 59, 68, 67 responsive to vehicle speed and engine throttle position. The rate at which 3-2 downshifts are made is regulated by a valve 40 responsive to engine inlet manifold suction and vehicle speed. Accelerator kick-down shift is operative through the full sequence of forward ratios. With the manual selector valve 60 set at Lo, only first and second ratios are obtainable, the 1-2 shift valve 59 being loaded so that 1-2 upshift occurs at a substantially higher vehicle speed than when Dr is selected. Line pressure is augmented in reverse, and is modulated to decrease as vehicle speed increases, to increase as engine manifold suction decreases, and to decrease in steps on 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts (Fig. 7, not shown). Gearing.-To obtain four forward and one reverse ratio, the following clutch and brake combinations are used. One-way first, clutch C 1 , with reaction provided by one-way detent C 4 . Two-way first, clutch C 1  plus brake B 1 . Second, clutch C 1  plus brake B 2 . Third, which is a split torque ratio giving substantially direct drive, clutches C 1  and C 2 . Overdrive fourth, clutch C 2  plus brake B 2 . Reverse, clutch C 3  plus brake B 1 . The torque converter is bypassed in fourth ratio. In the modified form (Fig. 5, not shown) the torque converter transmits the whole torque in all ratios, which are obtained using the clutch and brake connections as above. In this case engaging the clutches C 1 , C 2  for third locks up the planetary train, and the overdrive fourth is through the torque converter. Fluid supply system.-Line pressure P L  in a supply line 20 for the hydraulic control and actuating circuit is maintained by an enginedriven pump 17 and regulated by a line pressure regulating valve 21 which, when the pressure exceeds the controlled value, diverts fluid via a line 28 to the torque converter, from which fluid passes to the lubrication system 32 of the gearing. Fluid system components.-A "vacuum" valve 35 modulates line pressure in response to engine inlet manifold depression to produce a pressure Ps in line 38 which increases as engine torque increases. A governor valve 66 produces in line 43 a governor pressure P G  proportional to vehicle speed. A modulator valve 39 has a spool 41 urged rightwards by a spring 42 and the pressure Ps to increase a modulator pressure P M  in line 26, and leftwards by the governor pressure P G  to reduce P M . Also, when second or a higher ratio is engaged, line pressure is admitted via a line 44 to urge the spool leftwards, and when third or fourth ratio are engaged, line pressure is admitted via a line 45 to urge the spool leftwards. The line pressure regulating valve 21 has a spool 22 urged leftwards by a spring 23 and by modulator pressure PM acting on a spool 25 of an auxiliary valve 24. Spool 22 is urged rightwards by line pressure. When reverse is engaged, line pressure acts on spool 25 via a line 27 to increase line pressure. A valve 47 modulates line pressure in response to accelerator position to produce a throttle variable (TV) pressure in line 54. When the accelerator depression exceeds a certain value, a " kick-down " valve 50 admits TV pressure to a line 71. 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 shift valves 59, 68, 67 each have their spools biased rightwards by TV pressure and a spring force, and leftwards by governor pressure P G , the spools moving leftwards for upshift. A valve 56 combined with 2-3 shift valve 68 reduces the value of TV pressure supplied to 1-2 shift valve 59. A downshift valve 40 between the 2-3 and 3-4 shift valves 68, 67 allows free flow of line pressure fluid from valve 68 via line 80, a non-return valve 81, and lines 83 and 81 to the brake B 2  release cylinder 75b for 2-3 upshift. For a 3-2 downshift, fluid must drain from the cylinder 75b either rapidly, via lines 83c, 84d, if the spool 84 is in its right-hand limit position, or slowly via lines 83b, 83, and restrictor 82, if the spool is in its left-hand position. The spool 84 is urged rightwards by pressure Ps and leftwards by a spring 85 and governor pressure, so that downshift is rapid when speed is low and engine torque high, and slower when speed is high or engine torque low. Operation.-With the selector valve 60 in Park or Neutral, line pressure is not admitted to any of the shift valves. When Drive is selected line pressure is admitted via valve 67 and line 88 to engage the clutch C 1  for first ratio. When vehicle speed has risen sufficiently, shift valve 59 admits line pressure to a line 44 to engage brake B 2  for second ratio. Further speed increase raises governor pressure until shift valve 68 operates to admit line pressure to a line 80 to engage clutch C 2  and, via lines 83, 89 and valves 40, 67, to disengage brake B 2 , for third ratio. When the shift valve 67 operates, line 88 is vented to disengage clutch C 1  and line 89 is vented to drain disengaging cylinder 75b of brake B 2 , allowing pressure in line 44 to reengage that brake, for fourth ratio. When the " kick-down " valve 50 admits pressure to line 71, assuming fourth ratio is engaged, the pressure acts on a spool 70 of the 3-4 shift valve 67 to bias the valve for downshift. When 3-4 downshift has occurred, kick-down pressure is admitted to line 72 to act on the 2-3 shift valve 68 to bias it for 3-2 downshift, the kickdown pressure finally being admitted to the 1-2 shift valve 59. The kick-down can be initiated in the intermediate ratios. When Lo is selected, line pressure is admitted to a line 64 to pass via valve 59 and lines 76, 77 and a valve 69 to engage brake B 1  for twoway first ratio, clutch C 1  being engaged as above. On 1-2 upshift, line 76 is vented to disengage brake B 1 , and brake B 2  is engaged. Third and fourth ratios are not obtainable as line pressure is not admitted to line 63 and 2-3 shift valve 68. For Reverse, line pressure is admitted to a line 65 to engage clutch C 3  and, via a valve 69, to engage brake B 1 .