A method of making a wet friction material layer includes adding a media in liquid form to a material base including filler particles embedded in a matrix of fibers; drying the media to solidify the media on the filler particles such that the media plugs holes in the filler particles; adding a binder to the material base; and unplugging at least some of the holes in the filler particles by removing at least some of the media from the material base.

A method of making a wet friction material layer includes adding a media in liquid form to a material base including filler particles embedded in a matrix of fibers; drying the media to solidify the media on the filler particles such that the media plugs holes in the filler particles; adding a binder to the material base; and unplugging at least some of the holes in the filler particles by removing at least some of the media from the material base.

A method of controlling an automatic transmission is provided. The automatic transmission includes first and second frictional engageable elements and a hydraulic mechanism. The method includes controlling a first hydraulic pressure control valve of the first element to adjust hydraulic pressure to a given value in a first period in response to the gear shift command and increase the hydraulic pressure until first friction plates engaged in a second period, and a second hydraulic pressure control valve of the second element to pre-charge in response to the gear shift command, maintain the hydraulic pressure at a lower value than a highest target value immediately after the pre-charging, and increase the hydraulic pressure until second friction plates engaged immediately after the maintaining the pressure, a time length of the first period being shorter than a time length between a start of the pre-charging and a start of the increasing the pressure.

A method of controlling an automatic transmission is provided. The automatic transmission includes first and second frictional engageable elements and a hydraulic mechanism. The method includes controlling a first hydraulic pressure control valve of the first element to adjust hydraulic pressure to a given value in a first period in response to the gear shift command and increase the hydraulic pressure until first friction plates engaged in a second period, and a second hydraulic pressure control valve of the second element to pre-charge in response to the gear shift command, maintain the hydraulic pressure at a lower value than a highest target value immediately after the pre-charging, and increase the hydraulic pressure until second friction plates engaged immediately after the maintaining the pressure, a time length of the first period being shorter than a time length between a start of the pre-charging and a start of the increasing the pressure.

A method of controlling an automatic transmission is provided. The automatic transmission includes a piston having first and second surfaces opposite from each other, friction plates, engaging and disengaging hydraulic pressure chambers for supplying/discharging hydraulic pressure and directing the piston to push the friction plates to be engaged and disengaged, a hydraulic pressure control valve for supplying/discharging hydraulic pressure to/from the chambers, and first and second oil paths communicating the valve with the chambers. The second surface has a larger area for receiving hydraulic pressure than the first surface. The method includes controlling the disengaged friction plates to be engaged by adjusting the hydraulic pressure to a first pressure in a first period in response to a gear shift command and adjusting the hydraulic pressure to a second pressure in a second period. The first pressure is changed depending on a state of the automatic transmission.

A method of controlling an automatic transmission is provided. The automatic transmission includes a piston having first and second surfaces opposite from each other, friction plates, engaging and disengaging hydraulic pressure chambers for supplying/discharging hydraulic pressure and directing the piston to push the friction plates to be engaged and disengaged, a hydraulic pressure control valve for supplying/discharging hydraulic pressure to/from the chambers, and first and second oil paths communicating the valve with the chambers. The second surface has a larger area for receiving hydraulic pressure than the first surface. The method includes controlling the disengaged friction plates to be engaged by adjusting the hydraulic pressure to a first pressure in a first period in response to a gear shift command and adjusting the hydraulic pressure to a second pressure in a second period. The first pressure is changed depending on a state of the automatic transmission.

A vehicle control device including a multi-speed transmission switching gear shift positions in accordance with a combination of hydraulic friction engagement devices operations and pressure control solenoid valves, the control device shifting gears by providing a shift output signal including a quick-apply signal to the valves after a first time from a shift request, the control device has: a pulsation drive control portion to control selectively pulsating the pressure control solenoid valves in a cycle; and a quick-apply control prohibiting portion to prohibit a provision of a quick-apply control using the quick-apply signal for a second time from a time of termination of the pulsation drive control, and to permit the provision of the quick-apply control after the elapse of the second time, for a valve having undergone the control, the pulsation drive control portion to terminate the control for a valve when the shift request is made.

A vehicle control device including a multi-speed transmission switching gear shift positions in accordance with a combination of hydraulic friction engagement devices operations and pressure control solenoid valves, the control device shifting gears by providing a shift output signal including a quick-apply signal to the valves after a first time from a shift request, the control device has: a pulsation drive control portion to control selectively pulsating the pressure control solenoid valves in a cycle; and a quick-apply control prohibiting portion to prohibit a provision of a quick-apply control using the quick-apply signal for a second time from a time of termination of the pulsation drive control, and to permit the provision of the quick-apply control after the elapse of the second time, for a valve having undergone the control, the pulsation drive control portion to terminate the control for a valve when the shift request is made.

A system for controlling transmission shifting includes a controller that receives a shift request signal and determines if a clutch has been unapplied for more than a predetermined time. With a yes determination, a maximum fill time value for hydraulic fluid to be applied to a clutch control circuit is determined, the maximum fill time value being a function of time the clutch has been unapplied and temperature. A signal indicative of an amount of engine RPM flare after the transmission executes the requested shift is received and a modified maximum fill time value is determined as a function of this flare. The modified maximum fill time value is stored as a replacement for the maximum fill time value for use with a subsequent transmission shifts using this clutch, and reduces an amount of air in the control circuit and an amount of flare with subsequent transmission shifts.

A system for controlling transmission shifting includes a controller that receives a shift request signal and determines if a clutch has been unapplied for more than a predetermined time. With a yes determination, a maximum fill time value for hydraulic fluid to be applied to a clutch control circuit is determined, the maximum fill time value being a function of time the clutch has been unapplied and temperature. A signal indicative of an amount of engine RPM flare after the transmission executes the requested shift is received and a modified maximum fill time value is determined as a function of this flare. The modified maximum fill time value is stored as a replacement for the maximum fill time value for use with a subsequent transmission shifts using this clutch, and reduces an amount of air in the control circuit and an amount of flare with subsequent transmission shifts.