Patent ID: 6935989

Claim:
A catalyst activation controlling apparatus for an emission control catalyst in an internal combustion engine, wherein the engine outputs vehicle driving power through a power transmission that includes a clutch, wherein the clutch enables and disables a power transmission path between a driving wheel of a vehicle and the engine, wherein the emission control catalyst is located in an exhaust passage of the engine, wherein the apparatus activates the catalyst based on a temperature of the catalyst, the apparatus comprising: a clutch controlling device, which switches a degree of engagement of the clutch according to at least one of a running state of the vehicle, a running state of the engine, and manipulation of the transmission by a driver: and a detecting device, which detects the temperature of the emission control catalyst, wherein, when the clutch controlling device is decreasing the degree of engagement of the clutch, the clutch controlling device increases the degree of engagement of the clutch if the temperature of the emission control catalyst detected by the detecting device is less than a reference temperature, and wherein, if a condition that the transmission is shifted to a forward range while the engine is running is satisfied, the clutch controlling device executes a control for decreasing the degree of engagement of the clutch.