Patent ID: 6086514
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B60W,F16D,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of determining, during a clutch re-engagement process, the kiss-point of a vehicle clutch having a driven plate which drives a vehicle from an engine via a multi-ratio transmission, operation of the clutch being via a clutch actuating mechanism under the control of an electronic control means, said method comprising the steps of:checking that the throttle of the engine is closed and that the vehicle is in an engine overrun condition;partially re-engaging the clutch up to a point where the clutch increases the engine speed to a substantially constant level below the speed of the driven plate of the clutch;measuring the position of the clutch actuating mechanism when in said partially engaged condition;computing from said position measurement and the known engagement/torque characteristics of the clutch the current kiss-point position;saving said current kiss-point position, andcompleting the engagement of the clutch.