Downshift control device for automatic transmission

Abstract

A downshift control device for an automatic transmission is provided in which a drive command is generated to a shift actuator when a shift command to change a gear ratio of the transmission is generated, to switch a shift valve and change oil paths, thereby to release a first engaging element that has been engaged in a first gear position established by the automatic transmission before the shifting operation, and engage a second engaging element that has been released in the first gear position, so as to establish a second gear position after the shifting operation. This downshift control device includes a pedal-depressed downshifting determining means for determining whether the automatic transmission is to be shifted down due to depression of an accelerator pedal, a delay time setting means for setting a delay time that ensures an increase of an engine speed due to depression of the accelerator pedal, and a shift valve operating timing control means for generating the drive command for switching the shift valve to the shift actuator when the delay time elapses after the pedal depressed downshifting determining means determines that the transmission is to be shifted down due to depression of the accelerator pedal.