Abstract: A method of and an apparatus of controlling a creep torque to be exerted on a vehicle, may include facilitating a control unit to determine from a vehicle speed signal whether or not a vehicle comes to a stop, facilitating the control unit to determine from a slope angle signal a state of a road in accordance with a slope angle of the road; facilitating the control unit to determine a gear-shift step state, facilitating the control unit to decide a creep torque command on the basis of a result of the determination, the gear-shift step state, and information on the state of the road in accordance with the slope angle, and facilitating the control unit to output the decided creep torque command to perform creep torque control that generates a creep torque corresponding to the creep torque command from a motor.

Abstract: Method for operating a driver assistance system in a motor vehicle wherein an action plan comprising at least one measure for the targeted deceleration of the motor vehicle is determined, as well as predictive route data describing the distance to the coasting destination is determined when the driver ends the activation of the gas pedal and at least one potential coasting destination, which requires deceleration of the motor vehicle, is determined, and said measure is used for the longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle, whereby the measures are selected from the measure group of at least one operation in a free-run operating mode and one operation in a coasting operating mode, whereby a stopping position is determined as the coasting destination and the action plan is determined for the deceleration of the motor vehicle to a complete stop at the stopping position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission shiftable by hydraulic pressure, a main oil passage that delivers operating oil, a first oil passage that delivers the operating oil from the main oil passage to the transmission, a first valve that opens/closes the first oil passage, a controller that controls the first valve, a second oil passage that delivers the operating oil from the main oil passage to the transmission, and a manually drivable second valve that opens/closes a section of the first oil passage that is closer to the main oil passage than the first valve and the second oil passage. The second valve is switchable between the automatic control state in which the first oil passage is opened and the second oil passage is closed and the manual control state in which the first oil passage is closed and the second oil passage is opened.

Abstract: A driving force control device for saddled vehicle includes a transmission that transmits driving force of an engine to a driving wheel of a vehicle at predetermined reduction ratio; a clutch that connects/disconnects the driving force between the engine and the transmission; and a controller that controls the transmission and the clutch. The controller permits selection of a normal mode in which the reduction ratio of the transmission is varied according to a running condition and a slow mode permitting slow forward movement and slow backward movement by varying the reduction ratio of the transmission to a fixed reduction ratio according to predetermined operation, and the controller holds the clutch in a partial clutch engagement condition so as to prevent the vehicle from moving forward or backward when the slow mode is selected and no predetermined operation is performed.

Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle includes an engine that is a power source, a gear shift apparatus, a twin clutch type transmission that intermittently switches power transmission between the engine and the gear shift apparatus, and a clutch actuator that controls intermittent switching of the twin clutch type transmission, the engine includes a crankcase and a pair of cylinders installed on the crankcase so that a V-bank is formed therebetween, and the clutch actuator is installed on the cylinders so that the clutch actuator overlaps a region of the V-bank.

Abstract: A controller for a motor vehicle includes means for receiving information indicative of a current vehicle speed; means for receiving information indicative of an amount of brake force a braking system is developing or is capable of developing; means for receiving information indicative of a gradient of a driving surface on which the vehicle is driving; and torque transmission reduction means for causing a powertrain torque reduction operation to be performed in which the controller causes one or more components in a torque transmission path from a torque delivery device to driven wheels to assume a torque reduction condition in which torque transmission is reduced or substantially terminated. The controller is configured automatically to cause the torque reduction operation to be performed in dependence at least in part on the information indicative of current vehicle speed, information indicative of brake force amount and information indicative of driving surface gradient.

Abstract: A control device for a power transmission mechanism is provided, performing control so that a driving wheel reliably obtains torque when a vehicle is started. In a vehicle having a power transmission mechanism that includes a power transmission path transmitting power from a power source to a first driving wheel and a second driving wheel, and a power transmission element arranged in the power transmission path between the power source and the second driving wheel, a control device for a power transmission mechanism includes a control section controlling a fastening force of the power transmission element so as to control power transmission capacity of the power transmission mechanism from the power source to the second driving wheel, wherein when the control section acquires that the vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a stop state, the acquisition triggers the control section to increase the power transmission capacity.

Abstract: A system for providing electric creep in a manual transmission vehicle having an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, and an engine uses an electric motor configured to provide creep torque to a transmission output shaft when the manual transmission is in neutral, the electric creep mode is activated and the engine is auto-stopped. The system may provide forward or reverse creep torque. The system may cancel the electric creep in response to a vehicle door opening, a driver unbuckling a seatbelt, or depressing the accelerator pedal or the clutch pedal, or shifting the manual transmission out of neutral.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle to implement an Automatic Vehicle Hold (AVH) function includes operating an Electronic Stability Control (ESC) such that an AVH function begins to be exhibited, controlling a transmission such that the transmission is in an interlocked state when a predetermined amount of time elapses after operating the ESC, and releasing the operation of the ESC when the transmission is in the interlocked state.

Abstract: A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine, a connecting/disconnecting device separating the engine and wheels, and a transmission transmitting power of the engine toward the wheels, the running control device being configured to execute a normal running-mode performed by using the power of the engine with the engine and the wheels coupled, a free-run inertia running-mode that is performed by separating the engine and the wheels and stopping the engine during running, and a neutral inertia running-mode that is a performed by separating the engine and the wheels and operating the engine in a self-sustaining manner during running, the running control device setting a gear ratio of the transmission on a low vehicle speed side in the case of return from the free-run inertia running-mode to the normal running-mode as compared to the case of return from the neutral inertia running-mode to the normal running-mode.

Abstract: A method for operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, automatic transmission and at least one drive axle, is disclosed wherein in order to save fuel during the driving mode when the accelerator pedal is not activated a clutch device which is associated with the automatic transmission is opened and subsequently the internal combustion engine is shut down. When the accelerator pedal is activated again the internal combustion engine is started and in the automatic transmission the highest possible gear speed for the reconnection is firstly selected and so that the revving up time of the engine rotational speed is as short as possible, with the result that the necessary drive torque which is generated by the internal combustion engine can be made available at the drive axle as quickly as possible.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle has an engine, a drive wheel, and a power transmission mechanism that transmits power of the engine to the drive wheel wherein the power transmitted through the power transmission mechanism causes creeping of the vehicle. The industrial vehicle includes a control unit that controls an engine speed of the engine and a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a vehicle speed of the vehicle. The control unit controls the engine speed at a first engine speed when the vehicle is in a non-traveling state, and when the vehicle speed has exceeded a predetermined vehicle speed, the control unit controls the engine speed at a second engine speed that is lower than the first engine speed, and the second engine speed is set to generate a desired creeping speed.

Abstract: An automatic transmission controller for controlling an automatic transmission includes an idling reduction controller, an idling-reduction-control permission determiner, and an engagement controller. The idling-reduction-control permission determiner is configured to determine whether or not to permit an idling reduction control. The engagement controller, in a case where the idling-reduction-control permission determiner permits the idling reduction control, is configured to allow rotation of an input shaft of an automatic transmission, and in a case where an output shaft of the automatic transmission is rotated by a wheel of a vehicle in a rotational direction such that the vehicle moves backward, is configured to set a plurality of engagement mechanisms including at least a mechanical engagement mechanism so as to fix the output shaft of the automatic transmission to a casing of the automatic transmission or so as to prevent the vehicle from moving backward.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to control the pickup on an uphill slope of an automotive vehicle provided with an automatic or robotized gearbox provide the definition of a control strategy of the gear box operation, also according to the gradient of the uphill slope, which is preferably calculated based on a longitudinal acceleration value of the automotive vehicle, and based on the altitude at which the automotive vehicle can be found, which is preferably calculated based on a detected atmospheric pressure value. In this way, it is also possible to consider the reduction in the engine torque due to the reduction in the air density with altitude.

Abstract: A creep travel capability of an electric vehicle is secured when an abnormality occurs in a brake sensor. When an accelerator operation amount reaches 0% in a low vehicle speed region, a target creep torque is set, whereupon a motor-generator is controlled toward the target creep torque. The target creep torque is reduced as a brake pedal is depressed in order to suppress heat generation and the like in the motor-generator during vehicle braking. Hence, in an electric vehicle in which the target creep torque is varied in accordance with the brake operation amount, when an abnormality occurs (step S11) in a brake sensor for detecting a brake operation amount, a preset prescribed creep torque is employed as the target creep torque regardless of the brake operation amount (step S15). The prescribed creep torque is set at a required magnitude for securing the creep travel capability.

Abstract: A method of operating a double clutch that is actuated by a hydrostatic actuating system having two clutch actuators assigned to two individual clutches and each clutch actuator including a pressure sensor for sensing the operating pressure of the respective clutch actuator, the method having the step of limiting a total actuating force of the double clutch in the event of a fault using the pressure values sensed by the pressure sensors.

Abstract: Method for shifting a neutral state of an automatic multi-stage transmission of a motor vehicle, where, to engage and to disengage gear stages of the transmission, shift couplings, at least one of which is equipped with a synchronizing device, can be actuated by a transmission actuator.

Abstract: A process for monitoring a direction of drive from an automatic or automated vehicle transmission at near-zero vehicle speed via an engaged gear. A desired direction of drive of the transmission is determined from an engaged gear at the time the vehicle begins motion. An actual direction of drive is determined from the transmission and if different from the desired direction of drive, an error signal is produced. The process including determining the actual drive either from a sensed rotational direction of a transmission input shaft and a sensed rotational direction of a transmission output shaft or a sensed valve setting, a sensed pressure in an transmission electro-hydraulic control system or on a transmission shifting element or from a sensed direction of rotation of a transmission gearset element or from axial movement or force of a transmission constructional element.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drivetrain including an automatically shifted starting clutch and gear-shift clutch and a transmission, with a non self-locking clutch actuator, a gear actuator for engaging and disengaging transmission gears and a control unit which generates control commands for the clutch actuator and gear actuator and transmits such commands to the actuators such that, when the vehicle is at rest and a gear is engaged and if the clutch actuator fails, the clutch does not inadvertently engage. When a transmission gear is engaged, a control command is generated and sent for the clutch actuator to disengage the clutch. Thereafter, the vehicle speed is determined and if the speed is essentially zero and the clutch begins to engage, a control command is sent to the gear actuator to shift the transmission to its neutral position.

Abstract: An ECU executes a program that outputs a shift command when a determination has been made to perform a power-on downshift (i.e., YES in S100); controls the hydraulic pressure supplied to a friction engagement element to perform the power-on downshift; allows the correction of the hydraulic pressure supplied to the friction engagement element during the power-on downshift when the difference between a target input torque and an estimated input torque is equal to or less than a threshold value ?TT (1) (i.e., YES in S130); and correcting the hydraulic pressure supplied to the friction engagement element during the power-on downshift.

Abstract: A process of monitoring a drive direction of an automatic or automated vehicle transmission at near-zero vehicle speed via an engaged gear. A desired direction of drive of the transmission is determined from an engaged gear at the time the vehicle begins motion. An actual direction of drive is determined from the transmission and, if different from the desired direction of drive, an error signal is produced. The process includes determining the actual drive either from a sensed rotational direction of a transmission input shaft and a sensed rotational direction of a transmission output shaft or a sensed valve setting, a sensed pressure in an transmission electro-hydraulic control system or on a transmission shifting element or from a sensed direction of rotation of a transmission gearset element or from axial movement or force of a transmission constructional element.

Abstract: A method of operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle. The drivetrain comprising a drive aggregate with at least one electric machine. During operation of the drivetrain according to the method, when an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal are not actuated, the drivetrain is operated in a speed-regulated crawling mode and during this mode a nominal speed value is compared with an actual speed value and, on the basis of the difference between these speed values, a crawling torque is produced as a control output. During a purely electrical speed-regulated crawling operation, if a positive crawling torque is produced as the control output, then the torque produced by the electric machine is regulated such that the actual speed value is approximately equal to the nominal speed value and, during such operation, an electrical energy accumulator of the drivetrain is discharged more intensively since the electric machine is operated as a motor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a hybrid transmission to transmit mechanical power to an output member. A method for controlling the internal combustion engine includes determining an accelerator output torque request based upon an operator input to the accelerator pedal, and determining an axle torque response type. A preferred input torque from the engine to the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request. An allowable range of input torque from the engine which can be reacted with the hybrid transmission is determined based upon the accelerator output torque request and the axle torque response type. The engine is controlled to meet the preferred input torque when the preferred input torque is within the allowable range of input torque from the engine. The engine is controlled within the allowable range of input torque from the engine when the preferred input torque is outside the allowable range of input torques from the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling an input torque provided to a transmission includes executing a first iterative search within a first range of permissible torque values to determine a first torque value based on a first cost value. The first cost value is based on a first set of powertrain measurements measured at a first time. A second cost value based on a second torque value and the first set of powertrain measurements measured at the first time is calculated. The second torque value is determined using a second set of powertrain measurements measured at a second time prior to the first time. One of the first torque value and the second torque value is then selected based on the first cost value and the second cost value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an automatic transmission having a torque converter, with the transmission having three gear sets and with the first gear set which has a first brake clutch and a second brake clutch being braked relative to the housing by means of simultaneous actuation of the first and second brake clutches, as a result of which an output shaft which is directly connected to the first gear set is likewise braked. The third gear set is connected in terms of gearing to an input shaft and to the first gear set and can be fixed relative to the housing by means of a third brake clutch. The simultaneous actuation of the first and second brake clutches takes place at least intermittently with the third brake clutch in a slipping state, controlling the speed of the torque converter relative to the engine.

Abstract: The control system may have an electric motor and a traction device connected to an output of the motor. The control system may also have a decelerator and a controller. The controller may be in communication with the motor and the decelerator. The controller may be configured to determine a creep torque and apply the creep torque to the traction device when the decelerator is actuated.

Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle including a clutch capable of making and breaking the transmission of power to a drive wheel. The clutch is interposed in the course of a power transmission path, along which rotational power of a crankshaft is transmitted to the drive wheel. The clutch is rotatably borne on a crankcase, and its axis is set along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. A clutch actuator is provided for controlling the connection and disconnection of the clutch. The clutch actuator mounted to an engine body including the crankcase. This arrangement of the clutch actuator eliminates a need to increase the front-to-rear length of the engine and the vehicle body.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlling the creeping process of a motor vehicle. The nominal creeping speed can be adapted.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a longitudinal inclination variable representing the longitudinal inclination of a roadway, using a sensor “means” present in a motor vehicle, in which a first unbraked driving state of the vehicle and a second driving state of the motor vehicle in which at least one brake is actuated are considered; and as a function thereof the variable representing the longitudinal inclination of the roadway is determined.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may have an electric motor and a traction device connected to an output of the motor. The control system may also have a decelerator and a controller. The controller may be in communication with the motor and the decelerator. The controller may be configured to determine a creep torque and apply the creep torque to the traction device when the decelerator is actuated.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, namely for controlling a static disengagement function, such that if the motor vehicle's speed is lower than a limiting speed value and if, at the same time, at least one further initiation criterion is fulfilled, static disengagement is implemented. As a further initiation criterion, it is checked whether a characteristic parameter of a hydrodynamical starting element, in particular a torque converter, is below a limiting value of the characteristic parameter.

Abstract: A take-off control apparatus and method is provided for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission having an apply element that is applied when the vehicle takes off from a standstill, which executes a neutral control that releases the apply element when the automatic transmission is in a forward-drive range and the vehicle is stopped with a predetermined condition being satisfied, and executes a neutral cancellation control that cancels the neutral control when a different predetermined condition is satisfied. The take-off control apparatus and method detects an engine speed and calculates an apply hydraulic pressure of the apply element during cancellation of the neutral control based on a fluctuation in the engine speed.

Abstract: A creep control device for a vehicle having an automatic transmission including a torque converter with a lock-up clutch. The creep control device includes a throttle angle sensor for detecting a throttle angle, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a running speed of the vehicle, a slope sensor for detecting a road surface slope, and a lock-up clutch engagement control unit for controlling the degree of engagement of the lock-up clutch. When the throttle angle is detected to be nearly zero by the throttle angle sensor and the running speed is detected to be vary small or zero by the vehicle speed sensor in the condition where the shift position is in a running range, the degree of engagement of the lock-up clutch is controlled to decrease with an increase in the road surface slope by the lock-up clutch control unit.

Abstract: A take-off control apparatus and method is provided for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission having an apply element that is applied when the vehicle takes off from a standstill, which executes a neutral control that releases the apply element when the automatic transmission is in a forward-drive range and the vehicle is stopped with a predetermined condition being satisfied, and executes a neutral cancellation control that cancels the neutral control when a different predetermined condition is satisfied. The take-off control apparatus and method detects an engine speed and calculates an apply hydraulic pressure of the apply element during cancellation of the neutral control based on a fluctuation in the engine speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling engine idle in a vehicle having a motor connected to the engine through a power transfer unit is provide. Upon receiving a neutral command, the engine torque is commanded to approximately zero. The motor torque is adjusted to maintain an approximately constant engine speed as the engine torque is reduced. The torque from the engine transferred to the vehicle wheels is at or near zero. When the torque at the vehicle wheels is non-zero, a second motor is used to cancel the torque output from the engine so the torque at vehicle wheels is zero. When the engine torque has reached approximately zero, or when a predetermined amount of time has past, both motors are shutdown, and all of the remaining engine torque is transferred to the first motor through the power transfer unit.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission having an apply element that is applied when the vehicle takes off from a standstill, which executes a neutral control which releases the apply element when the automatic transmission is in a forward-drive range and the vehicle is stopped with a predetermined condition being satisfied, includes a controller that detects a target idle speed of an engine and determines whether the neutral control can be executed based on the target idle speed.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission having an apply element that is applied when the vehicle takes off from a standstill, which executes a neutral control which releases the apply element when the automatic transmission is in a forward-drive range and the vehicle is stopped with a predetermined condition being satisfied, includes a controller that detects a target idle speed of an engine and determines whether the neutral control can be executed based on the target idle speed.

Abstract: A driving force generated by an engine is transmitted to driving wheels (not shown) via an automatic transmission. The engine is provided with an electronically controlled throttle body and the like. An E-ECU performs cooperative control when necessary, so that an output of the engine is obtained in accordance with a load applied thereto. On the other hand, the automatic transmission is provided with a torque converter. Even in the case where the aforementioned predetermined condition has been fulfilled in a T-ECU, if the E-ECU detects a deterioration in performance of the electronically controlled throttle body or the like, the performance of neutral control is prohibited.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment a method for controlling vehicle creep control. Measurements are received from a brake pedal sensor, where the measurements are indicative of a brake pedal travel. A target creep speed value is derived based on the measurements of creep speed and the brake pedal travel. A request for wheel torque is derived based on the target creep speed. There is a determination of the difference between a measurement of vehicle creep speed and the target creep speed value. The request for wheel torque is adjusted, if the target creep speed is not equivalent to the vehicle creep speed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling creep in an automatic transmission, comprising a first creep torque control means which, upon generation of an accelerator- and brake-pedal undepressed state in a running mode, generates a target creep speed, the target creep speed increasing as a function of time and settling to a predetermined value, the first creep torque control means then calculating a creep torque from the target creep speed, detecting a change in vehicle load from a speed deviation, correcting a target creep torque on the basis of the detected change in vehicle load, and controlling the engine torque on the basis of the correction, and a second creep torque control means which controls a transfer torque of a starting clutch (a first friction clutch) on the basis of a slipping speed of the starting clutch and the target creep torque, the creep controlling method and system being able to realize a stable creep running even against a change in running environment such as the existence of a slope or an i

Abstract: A locomotive monitoring system defines several mutually exclusive operating states for a locomotive. The amount of time the locomotive operates in each state is preferably determined and recorded. This recorded information can then be evaluated with a view towards improving locomotive operations. For example, a plurality of mutually exclusive idle states can be defined and monitored to determine how long a locomotive idles under certain conditions instead of automatically shutting down for the purpose of conserving fuel. In this manner, the sources of lost fuel savings can be readily identified, quantified and addressed. An event log is also provided for chronicling certain operating events of interest over time, such as those relating to the starting, stopping and/or idling of the locomotive's engine.

Abstract: A transmission control method comprises the steps of determining whether a shift requiring an output shaft lock-up is commanded, wherein such a shift involves a first torque transmitting mechanism either being applied or released while a second torque transmitting mechanism is held engaged. The control determines whether the vehicle is stopped by one or all of the following: verifying the vehicle service brakes are applied, the transmission output speed is near zero, the engine speed is low, the oil sump temperature is greater than a calibration temperature, and the turbine speed is near zero if the vehicle is in forward drive. If the vehicle is stopped, a lock-up torque transmitting mechanism is applied prior to the shift operable to prevent torque transmission to the output shaft. When the lock-up mechanism reaches capacity, the shift proceeds by one of applying and releasing the first mechanism, while maintaining the second mechanism engaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a creep-control method for an automatic transmission of a vehicle comprising: creep-entering, in which a hydraulic circuit of the automatic transmission is controlled to form hydraulic pressure supply lines of a second shift-speed when a predetermined creep-entrance condition is satisfied; creep-maintaining, in which the formed hydraulic pressure supply lines of the second shift-speed are maintained and a hydraulic supply pressure of the formed hydraulic pressure supply lines is maintained at a predetermined creep duty ratio; and creep-escaping, in which one of controlling the hydraulic circuit to engage the second shift-speed shift mechanism of the automatic transmission and controlling the hydraulic circuit to engage a first shift-speed shift mechanism of the automatic transmission is selectively performed based on a vehicle speed and throttle valve open-angle when, a predetermined creep-escape condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A hill hold control apparatus of an automatic transmission having a plurality of drive gears mounted on an input shaft, a plurality of driven gears meshing with the respective drive gears and mounted on an output shaft and a bypass clutch for engaging the input shaft with the output shaft, includes a grade judging means for judging that the vehicle travels on a grade, a shift gear train detecting means for detecting a shift gear train of the automatic transmission, a foot brake operation detecting means for detecting an operation of a foot brake and a control means for engaging the bypass clutch when it is judged that the vehicle is in standstill and the shift gear train is a start gear train and the foot brake is inoperative based on respective signals of the grade, the shift gear train and the operation of the foot brake.

Abstract: An anti-rollback system for an automatic transmission includes an output gear connected to an output shaft of the automatic transmission, and a magnetic sensor for detecting output rpm of the output gear. The magnetic sensor is electrically connected to an. ECU (electronic control unit) and the output gear has a plurality of teeth, each tooth having a slot formed on its upper surface thereof.

Abstract: A control system of an automatic transmission comprises a slip detecting mechanism for detecting a vehicle wheel slippage, an up-shifting mechanism for up-shifting a shift stage when vehicle wheel slippage is detected, and a down-shift line setting mechanism for setting a first down-shift line at a lower vehicle speed side than that of a second down-shift line which had been set before performing the up-shift operation. The first down-shift line is newly set only when the vehicle wheel slippage has been eliminated by the up-shifting operation.

Abstract: A driving force control unit for a vehicle, which allows transmission of driving force from a motor to driving wheels irrespective of releasing an accelerator pedal under or equal to a certain vehicle speed when a transmission is selected to a driving range, and switches driving force to be transmitted to the driving wheels between a strong condition and a weak condition in accordance with depression of a brake pedal such that when the brake pedal is depressed, driving force is controlled to be less than the driving force upon releasing the brake pedal, wherein switching operation of the driving force from the strong condition to the weak condition is not carried out while the vehicle stops.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an automatic transmission capable of sufficiently producing the effect of neutral control by reducing a period of time from stop of a vehicle to the release of an input clutch. Vehicle stop prediction means for predicting immediate stop of the vehicle from a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor is provided. Input clutch control means for reducing a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic servo of the input clutch from a hydraulic pressure in a normal engagement state to a waiting pressure capable of maintaining an engagement state of the clutch based on the prediction of the stop of the vehicle by the vehicle stop prediction means is provided. The operation of releasing the input clutch concurrent with the neutral control is started from a state of the waiting pressure, so that the input clutch is released in a short period of time.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a neutral control method and a neutral controller for an automatic transmission which improves fuel efficiency and driving characteristics. According to the present invention, the neutral control method for the automatic transmission includes initiating the neutral control after every predetermined delay time, which begins with the neutral initiation conditions being satisfied, and continuing the neutral control as long as the neutral control initiation conditions remain satisfied. The neutral control ends when the neutral control initiation conditions are no longer satisfied.

Abstract: In a shift control method for an automatic transmission, it is first determined if a vehicle is running on a level road according to a signal from a drive state detector, then one of an economy or a power mode is selected according to a current throttle opening ratio. After, an upshifting point of the selected mode is set, a speed ratio is set according to the upshifting point of the selected mode and outputting a corresponding control signal to a drive unit.