Methods of repairing a torque converter that enable the continued use of a torque converter and result in a repaired torque converter with a higher-strength and more durable construction. In some examples, a backing ring can be replaced with a replacement backing ring that includes a spline ring for replacing the function of a cover spline ring. In some examples, a method of repairing a torque converter can be improved by providing a replacement backing ring with a radial protrusion for locating the backing ring on the cover, and a method of determining an axial location of the radial protrusion.

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.

The controller starts an output of an engagement instruction of the lockup clutch when a vehicle speed becomes a lockup start vehicle speed under a state where the lockup clutch is disengaged. When the vehicle speed, which is obtained a predetermined time after the output of the engagement instruction is started due to the vehicle speed becoming the lockup start vehicle speed, has reached a predetermined vehicle speed, the controller continues the output of the engagement instruction. When the vehicle speed has not reached the predetermined vehicle speed, the controller stops the output of the engagement instruction and restarts the output of the engagement instruction when the vehicle speed reaches a lockup restart vehicle speed which is set to a vehicle speed higher than the lockup start vehicle speed while the output is stopped.

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.

A torque convertor and direct drive unit arrangement and operating methods are provided herein. In one example, a prime mover may be configured to be coupled to a transmission via one of a torque convertor and a direct drive unit, the direct drive unit including a higher range clutch and a lower range clutch.

An electric drivetrain including an electric machine and at least one output pinion intended to be connected to an axle differential, and at least one speed reduction device including a first gear train and a second gear train intended to drive the output pinion in rotation in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction.

A control device controls a lockup clutch interposed between an engine and an automatic transmission mechanism of a vehicle. The control device includes a control part supplying hydraulic pressure to the lockup clutch and controlling differential pressure of the lockup clutch. The control part supplies the hydraulic pressure to the lockup clutch so that the differential pressure is lower than a reference differential pressure in a disengaged state of the lockup clutch. In a case of shifting the lockup clutch from the disengaged state to an engaged state, the control part supplies the hydraulic pressure to the lockup clutch so that the differential pressure increases as a filling ratio of an oil passage of the lockup clutch decreases. The reference differential pressure is a lower limit of the differential pressure that increases a slip ratio of the lockup clutch or reduces a slip amount of the lockup clutch.

A lockup disengagement control device for an automatic transmission including a torque converter including a lockup clutch, and a lockup control section, the lockup disengagement control device includes: when a brake is operated from a brake OFF to a brake ON during a coast traveling in an engagement state of the lockup clutch, the lockup control section being configured to sense an initial deceleration by the brake ON operation, and to set a lockup release vehicle speed to be higher as an absolute value of the initial deceleration is greater, and when a vehicle speed is sensed to be equal to or smaller than the set lockup release vehicle speed in a middle of a brake deceleration scene by the brake ON operation, the lockup control section being configured to disengage the lockup clutch.

A hydraulic control unit (4) for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle includes a volumetric flow rate control valve (49). The hydraulic control unit (4) is configured for delivering hydraulic fluid to an inlet (59) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (49). An outlet (31, 71) of the volumetric flow rate control valve (18, 49) is connected to a torque converter torus of the automatic transmission. In addition, the volumetric flow rate control valve (59) is configured for directing the hydraulic fluid across an orifice (66), so that the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is reduced and a constant flow of hydraulic fluid is feedable to a torque converter torus.

The lock-up control unit is configured to: in a case where the normal mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when a vehicle speed decreases and reaches a first vehicle speed while the vehicle is traveling in a state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, in a case where the eco mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when the vehicle speed decreases and reaches a second vehicle speed in a brake operation OFF state while the vehicle is traveling in the state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, in the case where the eco mode is selected, disengage the lock-up clutch when the vehicle speed decreases and reaches a third vehicle speed in a brake operation ON state while the vehicle is traveling in the state where the lock-up clutch is engaged, and set the third vehicle speed to a vehicle speed lower than the first vehicle speed, and set the second vehicle speed to a vehicle speed higher than the first vehicle speed.