Control device for releasing an exhaust brake and engaging a lockup clutch simultaneously during a downshift

A control device of an automatic transmission provided with an exhaust brake device and a lock-up clutch which is adapted to directly connect an input side and an output side of a torque converter and which is temporarily disengaged during shift, comprising:

• first detecting means for detecting that a downshift of the automatic transmission is ongoing;
• second detecting means for detecting whether the exhaust brake device is operating;
• release means for at least temporarily releasing the exhaust brake device when the first detecting means detects that a downshift has occurred and when the second detecting means detects that the exhaust brake device is operating to avoid difficulties associated with engagement of the lock-up clutch resulting from a rotational frequency at the output side of the torque converter being higher than at the input side of the torque converter;
• and
• means for engaging the lock-up clutch upon or after release of the exhaust brake device by the release means to directly connect the input side and the output side of the torque converter.

A control device of an automatic transmission provided with an exhaust brake device and a lock-up clutch which is adapted to directly connect an input side and an output side of a torque converter and which is temporarily disengaged during shift, comprising:

• first detecting means for detecting that a downshift of the automatic transmission is about to take place;
• second detecting means for detecting whether the exhaust brake device is operating:
• release means for at least temporarily releasing the exhaust brake device when the first detecting means detects that a downshift has occurred and when the second detecting means detects that the exhaust brake device is operating to avoid difficulties associated with engagement of the lock-up clutch resulting from a rotational frequency at the output side of the torque converter being higher than at the input side of the torque converter;
• and
• means for engaging the lock-up clutch upon or after release of the exhaust brake device by the release means to directly connect the input side and the output side of the torque converter.