A flow channel structure forms a first flow channel which makes a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber communicate with each other therethrough. The flow channel structure includes first to third plates. The first plate includes a first through hole penetrating the first plate in a thickness direction to open to the first fluid chamber. The second plate includes a second through hole penetrating the second plate in the thickness direction to open to the second fluid chamber. The third plate includes a first connecting through hole penetrating the third plate in the thickness direction. The first connecting through hole is larger in flow channel area than each of the first and second through holes. The first and second through holes are disposed in different positions from each other as seen in the thickness direction. The first connecting through hole communicates with the first and second through holes.

A flow channel structure forms a first flow channel which makes a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber communicate with each other therethrough. The flow channel structure includes first to third plates. The first plate includes a first through hole penetrating the first plate in a thickness direction to open to the first fluid chamber. The second plate includes a second through hole penetrating the second plate in the thickness direction to open to the second fluid chamber. The third plate includes a first connecting through hole penetrating the third plate in the thickness direction. The first connecting through hole is larger in flow channel area than each of the first and second through holes. The first and second through holes are disposed in different positions from each other as seen in the thickness direction. The first connecting through hole communicates with the first and second through holes.

A monitoring device and a method for operating an idling automatic transmission of a motor vehicle having a torque converter which includes at least one pump wheel and a turbine wheel that are designed to transmit torque hydrodynamically from one to the other. The method includes at least the following steps of: determining a rotational speed of the turbine wheel; determining a load on the motor of the motor vehicle; and recognizing whether there is a blockage in the drive-train of the motor vehicle or whether the torque converter is running dry, as a function of the turbine rotational speed and the motor load detected.

An apparatus for diagnosing an automatic transmission for detecting abnormality during driving of a vehicle includes a G-sensor configured to measure a vibration signal including a longitudinal vibration signal, a status detection unit configured to obtain the vibration signal of the G-sensor and status data of transmission and engine sensors of the vehicle, and a controller configured to check an operational element for each shifting operation by using a current shift-stage, a target shift-stage, and a shifting time detected as the status data, measure the longitudinal vibration signal of the G-sensor to calculate fluctuation level of the longitudinal vibration signal for each operational element, and determine a shift shock event when a longitudinal vibration signal value after adjustment based on driving acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a reference value.

A drive unit includes a motor, a torque converter, a torque transmission member, first and second transmission paths, first and second gear trains, and a controller. The torque converter amplifies torque directed in a first direction. The first transmission path transmits torque through the torque converter. The second transmission path transmits torque without through the torque converter. The first gear train outputs torque directed in the first direction as forward torque. The second gear train outputs torque directed in the first direction as reverse torque. The controller executes a first forward moving mode such that the motor is rotated in the first direction, and torque is outputted through the first transmission path and the first gear train. The controller executes a second forward moving mode such that the motor is rotated in a second direction, and torque is outputted through the second transmission path and the second gear train.

A method and system for operating a vehicle that includes an automatic transmission with a torque converter clutch is described. In one example, the method includes predicting a time that the torque converter clutch will open so that stopping rotation of the engine may be requested before the torque converter clutch is opened. The stopping rotation of the engine is requested to conserve fuel.

A control method is provided for controlling an internal combustion engine for a vehicle configured to engage a lockup clutch during a fuel cut, and to decrease a lockup hydraulic pressure at a fuel cut recovery to bring the lockup clutch to a slip engagement. The control method includes estimating a torque of the internal combustion engine generated by the fuel cut recovery when a fuel cut recovery condition is satisfied. The control method further includes decreasing a decrease amount of the lockup hydraulic pressure as the torque is greater.

Presented are clutch control systems for torque converter (TC) assemblies, methods for making/operating such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a housing that drivingly connects to an electric motor, and an output member that drivingly connects to a multi-gear transmission. Rotatable within the TC housing are a turbine attached to the TC output member and an impeller juxtaposed with the turbine. A lockup clutch is operable to lock the housing to the output member. A system controller is programmed to receive a shift signal to shift the powertrain from a neutral or park operating mode to a forward driving operating mode; responsive to receipt of this shift signal, the lockup clutch is opened. The system controller then receives a TCC lock signal to lock the lockup clutch; responsive to receipt of the TCC lock signal, the lockup clutch is closed.

Presented are clutch control systems for torque converter (TC) assemblies, methods for making/operating such TC assemblies, and vehicles equipped with such TC assemblies. A TC assembly includes a housing that drivingly connects to an electric motor, and an output member that drivingly connects to a multi-gear transmission. Rotatable within the TC housing are a turbine attached to the TC output member and an impeller juxtaposed with the turbine. A lockup clutch is operable to lock the housing to the output member. A system controller is programmed to receive a shift signal to shift the powertrain from a neutral or park operating mode to a forward driving operating mode; responsive to receipt of this shift signal, the lockup clutch is opened. The system controller then receives a TCC lock signal to lock the lockup clutch; responsive to receipt of the TCC lock signal, the lockup clutch is closed.

In one aspect, a control method and a control apparatus are provided for protecting a damper clutch of a vehicle. In one aspect, the control method of protecting the damper clutch of the vehicle includes determining whether a vehicle state satisfies a condition for operating a damper clutch protection logic, calculating a slip power in real time on the basis of a turbine speed of a torque converter, an engine speed, a capacity coefficient of the torque converter, a clutch torque, and a hydraulic torque when the condition for operating the damper clutch protection logic is satisfied, determining whether a repetitive tip-in/tip-out that is intentionally performed occurs or not on the basis of a change in the slip power that is calculated in real time for a set time, and operating the damper clutch protection logic for restraining a slip of the damper clutch when there is the repetitive tip-in/tip-out that is intentionally performed.