Hydraulic control apparatus for vehicle power transmitting system having fluid coupling incorporating lock-up clutch

摘要

A hydraulic control apparatus for a vehicle power transmitting system having a fluid coupling equipped with a lock-up clutch, and a transmission to which power is transmitted from an engine of the vehicle through the fluid coupling. The fluid coupling has an engaging chamber and a releasing chamber for engaging and releasing the lock-up clutch. The apparatus includes a discharge passage communicating with the engaging chamber, for normally draining the engaging chamber to a drain, to thereby normally release the lock-up clutch, and a rapid release valve connected to the discharge passage. The rapid release valve operates to by-pass the discharge passage to the drain therethrough, for thereby rapidly draining the engaging chamber to rapidly release the lock-up clutch. A lock-up pressure regulating valve is provided for regulating a lock-up clutch pressure applied to the fluid coupling, normally to a first value, and upon operation of the rapid release valve, to a second value higher than the first value.