Patent · US Expired

Control apparatus and method for automatic transmission

US7044890B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 26, 2003
Grant dateMay 16, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S477/901
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

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, is provided 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. 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 value. Accordingly, fuel efficiency is able to be further improved during the neutral control.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.