Importance

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Abstract

A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch (14) which connects an engine (10) with a gearbox (12) under the control of a driver-operated gear ratio selector lever (24). The control system includes an electronic control unit (36) which controls initial clutch. take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagement following each ratio change, disengagement on movement of the gear selector lever (24) to change the operative ratio of the gearbox (12), and clutch disengagement on the coming to rest of the vehicle. The level of clutch engagement is controlled in response to an engine speed error signal (E) derived from a comparison of current engine speed (Ve) and a reference speed signal (Vr) generated by the control unit, the error signal being compared with a current clutch position signal (Vc) to produce a clutch actuation signal (Vce). The reference signal for initial clutch take-up is derived from one of the following references on a highest-wins basis: a reference signal proportional to the current throttle position (Va'), a reference signal porportional to the current engine idle speed (Vir), or a floating reference signal (Vfr) equal to a recorded engine speed plus an offset.

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First Claim