System Description
A/T CONTROL SYSTEM
System Description
The A/T senses vehicle operating conditions through various sensors or signals. It always controls the optimum shift position and reduces shifting and lock-up shocks.
TCM FUNCTION
The function of the TCM is to:
- Receive input signals transmitted from various switches and sensors.
- Determine required line pressure, shifting point, lock-up operation, engine brake operation, etc.
- Transmit required output signals to the respective solenoids.
Input/Output Signal of TCM
CAN COMMUNICATION
CAN (Controller Area Network) is a serial communication line for real-time application. It is an on-vehicle multiplex communication line with high data communication speed and excellent error detection ability. Many electronic control units are equipped onto a vehicle, and each control unit shares information and links with other control units during operation (not independently). In CAN communication, control units are connected with 2 communication lines (CAN-H line, CAN-L line) allowing a high rate of information transmission with less wiring.
Each control unit transmits/receives data but selectively reads required data only. CAN Communication Signal Chart.
LINE PRESSURE CONTROL
- When an input torque signal equivalent to the engine drive force is transmitted from the ECM to the TCM, the TCM controls the line pressure solenoid valve.
- This line pressure solenoid controls the pressure regulator valve as the signal pressure and adjusts the pressure of the operating oil discharged from the oil pump to the line pressure most appropriate to the driving state.
Line Pressure Control is Based On The TCM Line Pressure Characteristic Pattern
- The TCM has stored in memory a number of patterns for the optimum line pressure characteristic for the driving state.
- In order to obtain the most appropriate line pressure characteristic to meet the current driving state, the TCM controls the line pressure solenoid current value and thus controls the line pressure.
Normal Control
- Each clutch is adjusted to the necessary pressure to match the engine drive force.
Back-up Control (Engine Brake)
- When the select operation is performed during driving and the A/T is shifted down, the line pressure is set according to the vehicle speed.
During Shift Change
- The necessary and adequate line pressure for shift change is set.
For this reason, line pressure pattern setting corresponds to input torque and gearshift selection. Also, line pressure characteristic corresponds to engine speed, during engine brake operation.
At Low Fluid Temperature
- When the A/T fluid temperature drops below the prescribed temperature, in order to speed up the action of each friction element, the line pressure is set higher than the normal line pressure characteristic.
SHIFT CONTROL
The clutch pressure control solenoid is controlled by the signals from the switches and sensors. Thus, the clutch pressure is adjusted to be appropriate to the engine load state and vehicle driving state. It becomes possible to finely control the clutch hydraulic pressure with high precision and a smoother shift change characteristic is attained.
Shift Change
The clutch is controlled with the optimum timing and oil pressure by the engine speed, engine torque information, etc.
Shift Change System Diagram
*1: Full phase real-time feedback control monitors movement of gear ratio at gear change, and controls oil pressure in real-time to achieve the best gear ratio.
Blipping Control
This system makes transmission clutch engage readily by controlling (synchronizing) engine revolution according to the (calculation of) engine revolution after shifting down.
- "BLIPPING CONTROL" functions.
- When downshifting by accelerator pedal depression at "D" position.
- When downshifting under the manual mode.
- TCM selects "BLIPPING CONTROL" or "NORMAL SHIFT CONTROL" according to the gear position, the selector lever position, the engine torque and the speed when accelerating by pedal depression.
- Revolution control demand signal is transmitted from TCM to ECM under "BLIPPING CONTROL".
- TCM synchronizes engine revolution according to the revolution control demand signal.
Shift Change System Diagram
ASC (Adoptive Shift Control)
ASC automatically shifts or hold at the 2GR, 3GR or 4GR on certain roads (up/down slope and curve) and driving condition.
When Driving On an Up/Down Slope
- ASC judges up/down slope according to engine torque data transmitted from the ECM and vehicle speed.
Fixing at 3GR or 4GR on an up-slope prevents shift hunting and controls the vehicle to gain optimum driving force. On a down-slope, automatic shift-down to the 3GR or 4GR controls to gain optimum engine brake.
When Driving On a Curve
- TCM receives the lateral G sensor signal from the ABS actuator control unit. It locks to 3GR or 4GR position in moderate cornering or to the 2GR position in sharp cornering based on this signal. This prevents any upshift and kickdown during cornering, maintaining smooth vehicle travel.
DS Mode
- Changes to the shift schedule that mainly utilizes the high engine speed zone when ASC is active.
- DS mode can be switched according to the following method.
- When the selector lever is in the "D" position, shifting the selector lever to manual shift gate enables switching to DS mode.
- When in DS mode, shifting the selector lever to the main gate enables to cancel DS mode.
LOCK-UP CONTROL
The torque converter clutch piston in the torque converter is engaged to eliminate torque converter slip to increase power transmission efficiency.
The torque converter clutch control valve operation is controlled by the torque converter clutch solenoid valve, which is controlled by a signal from TCM, and the torque converter clutch control valve engages or releases the torque converter clutch piston.
Torque Converter Clutch Control Valve Control
Lock-up control system diagram
Lock-up Released
- In the lock-up released state, the torque converter clutch control valve is set into the unlocked state by the torque converter clutch solenoid and the lock-up apply pressure is drained.
In this way, the torque converter clutch piston is not coupled.
Lock-up Applied
- In the lock-up applied state, the torque converter clutch control valve is set into the locked state by the torque converter clutch solenoid and lock-up apply pressure is generated.
In this way, the torque converter clutch piston is pressed and coupled.
Smooth Lock-up Control
When shifting from the lock-up released state to the lock-up applied state, the current output to the torque converter clutch solenoid is controlled with the TCM. In this way, when shifting to the lock-up applied state, the torque converter clutch is temporarily set to the half-clutched state to reduce the shock.
Half-clutched State
- The current output from the TCM to the torque converter clutch solenoid is varied to steadily increase the torque converter clutch solenoid pressure.
In this way, the lock-up apply pressure gradually rises and while the torque converter clutch piston is put into half-clutched states, the torque converter clutch piston operating pressure is increased and the coupling is completed smoothly.
Slip Lock-up Control
- In the slip region, the torque converter clutch solenoid current is controlled with the TCM to put it into the half-clutched state. This absorbs the engine torque fluctuation and lock-up operates from low speed.
This raises the fuel efficiency for 3GR, 4GR and 5GR at both low speed and when the accelerator has a low degree of opening.
ENGINE BRAKE CONTROL
- The forward one-way clutch transmits the drive force from the engine to the rear wheels. But the reverse drive from the rear wheels is not transmitted to the engine because the one-way clutch is idling.
Therefore, the low coast brake solenoid is operated to prevent the forward one-way clutch from idling and the engine brake is operated in the same manner as conventionally.
- The operation of the low coast brake solenoid switches the low coast brake switching valve and controls the coupling and releasing of the low coast brake.
The low coast brake reducing valve controls the low coast brake coupling force.