Abstract: The present invention provides a clutch connection method which controls the disconnection/connection of a wet friction clutch on the basis of a duty pulse outputted from an electronic control unit. When the clutch is connected, the electronic control unit initially outputs a start duty (Dst) for largely connecting the clutch as far as the vicinity of a torque point, and, thereafter, outputs, at prescribed time intervals (&Dgr;t), a gradual connection duty (Dk) for gradually connecting the clutch, and determines a gradual connection duty value on the basis of a clutch input/output side revolution difference &Dgr;N. Since the clutch is gradually connected while monitoring the clutch connection state, variations between connection times and connection shock, resulting from individual clutch differences or the like, can be eliminated, whereby it is possible to achieve a stable feel.

Abstract: The present invention aims to enable the accurate learning of a true torque point in a wet friction clutch (3), prevent the clutch connection shock by absorbing the response delay upon an ordinary clutch connection control, and to successfully combine the time lag and shock. In the present invention, the value (D) itself of the duty ratio of the duty pulse output from the ECU (16) is learned as the torque point (Dm). In a power transmission device of a vehicle having a fluid coupling (2) and the wet friction clutch (3)provided in series between the engine (E) and transmission (T/M), the value (Dm) of the duty ratio at the time when the clutch input side revolution (Nt) decreases to a value lower than the engine revolution (Ne) by a prescribed revolution (Nm) during the process of gradually connecting the clutch 3 is learned as the torque point. Preferably, learning is conducted after the elapse of a prescribed waiting time (&Dgr;t1).

Abstract: An automatic transmission can automatically change gears as if it were manually operated when a gearshift lever is operated in a large-sized car. When a gear changing operation is found to be of a hooked type, a gear drawing or shifting control is carried out according to the position of the gearshift lever. Subsequently, without any recognition of the neutral position, a gear selecting control and then the next gear shifting control are performed.