Control system for clutch reengagement during an in-gear stopped state of an automatic transmission

A control system for an automatic transmission having a speed change unit with a transmission mechanism, a fluid transmission unit for transmitting rotation of an engine to the speed change unit;

• a clutch adapted to be engaged when a forward running range is selected to transmit rotation of said fluid transmission unit to the transmission mechanism of said speed change unit;
• stopped state detecting means for detecting a stopped state of a vehicle wherein the stopped state is defined by (a) a forward running range being selected, (b) a throttle opening being fully closed, (c) a brake pedal being depressed, and (d) a vehicle speed being substantially zero;
• engine speed detecting means for detecting the rotative speed of the engine;
• clutch force generating means for generating an operating force applied to said clutch;
• and a control unit operating the clutch force generating means, wherein said control unit comprises:
• release means for decreasing the operating force generated by the clutch force generating means to release said clutch in response to the stopped state of the vehicle being detected by said stopped state detecting means;
• storage means for storing the rotative speed of the engine detected by said engine speed detecting means as an initial engine speed when said clutch is released by said release means:
• setting means for setting a neutral ending engine speed on the basis of the initial engine speed stored in said storage means;
• and
• application means for increasing the operating force generated by the clutch force generating means to engage said clutch in response to either (a) said clutch being released in the absence of the stopped state of the vehicle being detected by said stopped state detecting means or (b) said engine speed detected by said engine speed detecting means exceeding said neutral ending engine speed irrespective of the presence or absence of the stopped state being detected by said stopped state detecting means.