Control apparatus and method for automatic transmission

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, comprising:

• storing means for storing a hydraulic pressure command value for the input clutch while the neutral control is being executed;
• and
• calculating means for calculating, based on the stored hydraulic pressure command value, the hydraulic pressure command value for the input clutch when the neutral control is cancelled so that a normal control is restarted in a case where the conditions become unfulfilled.

A control method 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, comprising the steps of:

• storing a hydraulic pressure command value for the input clutch while the neutral control is being executed;
• and
• calculating, based on the stored hydraulic pressure command value for the input clutch, the hydraulic pressure command value for the input clutch when the neutral control is cancelled so that a normal control is restarted in a case where the conditions become unfulfilled.