Abstract An infinitely variable transmission for a vehicle employs an electromagnetic clutch having a clutch coil (15). The transmission includes a high engine speed drive range (Ds range) which when selected increases the transmission ratio to increase the effectiveness of engine braking. Selection of the drive (D) range opens a switch (55) causing a high level signal to be applied to a transistor (60) in series with the coil (15) and full clutch torque to be obtained. When the Ds range is selected the switch (55) is closed and the control circuit (50) operates to produce a pulse train which is applied to the clutch coil transistor (60), first to decrease the coil current and hence the clutch torque, and then progressively to increase again the coil current and clutch torque.
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch (1) of a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (2) which has a high engine speed drive range (Ds) which increases the transmission range when selected, the system including a high speed drive range switch (55) responsive to the selection of the high engine speed drive range to produce a Ds range signal; characterised in the provision of a control unit (50) which in use responds to the Ds range signal to produce for a predetermined time an output signal which reduces the current passing in the electromagnetic clutch to decrease the clutch torque.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch (1) of a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (2) which has a high engine speed drive range (Ds) which increases the transmission range when selected, the system including a high speed drive range switch (55) responsive to the selection of the high engine speed drive range to produce a Ds range signal; characterised in the provision of a control unit (50) which in use responds to the Ds range signal to produce for a predetermined time an output signal which reduces the current passing in the electromagnetic clutch to decrease the clutch torque.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch (1) of a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (2) which has a high engine speed drive range (Ds) which increases the transmission range when selected, the system including a high speed drive range switch (55) responsive to the selection of the high engine speed drive range to produce a Ds range signal; characterised in the provision of a control unit (50) which in use responds to the Ds range signal to produce an output signal which controls the clutch current first to reduce the clutch torque and thereafter progressively to restore the value of the clutch torque in a predetermined time.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch (1) of a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (2) which has a high engine speed drive range (Ds) which increases the transmission range when selected, the system including a high speed drive range switch (55) responsive to the selection of the high engine speed drive range to produce a Ds range signal; characterised in the provision of a control unit (50) which in use responds to the Ds range signal to produce an output signal which controls the clutch current first to reduce the clutch torque and thereafter progressively to restore the value of the clutch torque in a predetermined time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the output signal of the control unit (50) is a pulse train.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch according to claim 3, wherein the duty ratio of the pulse train is varied to vary the clutch torque.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch according to claim 4, wherein the control unit (50) comprises a reference voltage generating circuit (58) which is responsive to the Ds range signal to change the reference voltage therefrom, and a pulse train generating circuit (51, 52) for producing a pulse train dependent on the referenc voltage.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for controlling an electromagnetic clutch according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an accelerator pedal position switch (61) for producing an accelerator position signal when an accelerator pedal of the vehicle is depressed beyond a predetermined degree, and circuit means (Tr 2 , Rl) responsive to the accelerator position signal for decreasing the predetermined time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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