Patent ID: 7044890
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: B60W,F16H,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for an automatic transmission, which executes a neutral control by which an input clutch that transmits driving force from a driving source to the automatic transmission is released when conditions, being i) a shift lever is in a position corresponding to a forward speed range, ii) an accelerator operation is not being performed, iii) a brake operation is being performed, and iv) a vehicle speed is equal to, or less than, a predetermined vehicle speed, are fulfilled, the control apparatus comprising: a controller which detects a road gradient and outputs a command to release the input clutch when i) the detected road gradient is equal to, or less than, a predetermined value, and ii) the conditions are fulfilled, wherein, after the command has been output, the controller compares the detected road gradient and the predetermined value and cancels the output of the command if the road gradient is greater than the predetermined values, wherein the controller detects the road gradient using an acceleration sensor, the acceleration sensor outputting a true road gradient after a first period of time which is a delay due to data processing of data indicative of the detected road gradient, and generates the command so that the input clutch will be completely released after a second period of time, which is longer than the first period of time, has passed after the command has been output from the controller.