LOCK-UP CONTROL DEVICE

摘要

A lockup control apparatus for use with an automotive vehicle including an engine, an automatic transmission and a torque converter having a lockup clutch operable on a variable engagement force to provide a controlled degree of mechanical connection between the engine and the automatic transmission during deceleration. The lockup engagement force is set at a target value substantially equal to a first value calculated based on vehicle operating conditions plus a second value calculated based on engine output at a first stage of lockup control operation when the engine output remains positive after the driver's operation is detected and it is decreased at a predetermined rate to the first value at a second stage of lockup control operation after the engine output becomes negative.