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Toyota has developed a new sports shift control system introduced in the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission (AA80E), which is implemented in the “LS 460” and has been adopted in the “IS F” (upcoming 2008 model). This enables the IS F to be a vehicle that also permits the enjoyment of driving on circuits as well as achieving that “fun-to-drive” image. In sports driving, as achieved by the conventional torque converter-type automatic transmissions, shift response performance for shift operation and linearity performance for accelerator operations were challenges to tackle. On the contrary, the newly developed sports shift control system has resolved these challenges and enables the IS F to be capable of responding to a driver's intention quickly and accurately, letting the driver truly experience satisfaction.

Toyota has developed the world's first 8-speed automatic transmission (AA80E) for RWD automobiles. The transmission will first be used in the all-new Lexus LS460. In addition, a novel control system has been developed to maximize the predictability, response, efficiency, and initial quality of the powertrain while utilizing the high number of gear steps.

AISIN AW has developed a new transmission control module (hereinafter referred to as “TCM”), which can be applied to the world wide FWD 6-speed automatic transmission (hereinafter referred to as “A/T”). This newly developed TCM can contribute to the whole vehicle system as it is integrated to mechanical A/T in the meaning of ‘hardware’, and completed and ensured the functions in the A/T system. This TCM allows us to greatly reduce the number of the wire harness and the connector, and the space for installing TCM, which are required for the conventional style: A/T and TCM are separately installed, so that it can contribute to fuel economy, weight saving, utilization of the space in the engine room and cost reduction. Our Integrated TCM on A/T integrates the functions with the conventional neutral safety switch (hereinafter referred to as “N.S.S/W”) for detecting shift position, so that it allows compact installation to the limited space on A/T.

Recently, 5-speed automatic transmissions have become mainstream through the world, and 6-speed automatic transmissions have also been introduced in the market. Consequently, the issue of shift control is gaining importance, and a trend toward increasing number of gears in automatic transmissions has become apparent. On the other hand, weight saving and downsizing of the transmission, including the hydraulic control unit, are strongly required in order to promote fuel efficiency. To meet these requirements, an electro-hydraulic control unit offering sophisticated functionality desired in order to provide excellent shift quality. As an answer to these requirements AISIN AW developed two types of new 6-speed automatic transmissions in 2002: “TR-60SN” for RWD vehicles and “TF-60SN” for FWD vehicles. Both TR-60SN and TF-60SN have the same structural characteristics.

As requirements for protecting the global environment are being heightened on a worldwide scale in recent years, the development of low fuel consumption technologies in order to inhibit the discharge of CO2 is an important issue for the automotive industry. Recently, Toyota has developed a Super CVT for the 1.3-to 1.5-liter class vehicles to further improve their fuel economy. This CVT has been adopted on vehicles equipped with the ‘idling stop system’. The ‘idling stop system’ automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is stopped and the transmission shift lever is in the ‘D’ position (e.g. when the vehicle is at a stoplight). This improves the fuel economy of the vehicle by eliminating fuel consumption while the vehicle is stopped. The conventional CVT poses unique conditions such as startoff time lag or shock after the engine is restarted. These conditions occur because the CVT oil pump cannot generate hydraulic pressure while the engine is stopped.

We developed a new automatic transmission control system that performs shift control for the automatic transmission (A/T) using the road data obtained from the navigation system, which previously had been used only for route guidance, and installed it in a new car, Progrès. This system reads the distance to the approaching corner and its shape based on the vehicle's position data and the data of the approaching road obtained from the navigation system, and determines the optimum gear based on these data and the current vehicle speed to perform optimum shift control in linkage with the driver's driving operation. In this paper, configuration, features and effects of this new A/T control system that takes consideration of navigation data are described.

TOYOTA has developed a new automatic transmission, called the A341E. This transmission employs a unique engine and transmission integrated intelligent control system named “ECT-i”, and a high performance “Super Flow” Torque Converter. This control system is capable of total control of engine torque and clutch hydraulic pressure during shifting, which has resulted in very smooth shift without changes over the life of the transmission. The “Super Flow” Torque Converter has a modified geometry optimized by the analysis of internal flow by means of computer simulations, attaining the highest efficiecy in the world. With the use of such systems, this new automatic transmission has improved total performance of the vehicle.