Patent ID: 6679362
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: B60W,F16D

Abstract:
An actuator device for moving a clutch device into different engagement positions, wherein the different engagement positions correspond to different amounts of torque being transmitted by the clutch device between a first rotary component and a second rotary component, wherein the actuator device comprises a position-detecting device operable to detect at least one of said engagement positions and wherein said actuator device further comprises a displacement-measuring device for measuring said engagement positions, the position-detecting device performs its detection independently of the measurement made by the displacement-measuring device;wherein: the actuator device comprises said displacement-measuring device and further comprises a drive source; the different engagement positions include a predetermined end-stop position; the position-detecting device is operable to generate a command signal to initiate a shut-down of the displacement-measuring device so that the displacement measuring device will not produce a position signal indicative of a current engagement position among said different engagement positions; after said shut-down, the position-detecting device will cause the drive source to be supplied with a predetermined amount of energy over a predetermined length of time; said predetermined amount of energy is sufficient to ensure that the actuator device will reach the end-stop position regardless of the current engagement position; the supply of energy to the drive source is switched off after the predetermined amount has been supplied; and the position-detecting device registers the fact that said switch-off has occurred as an indication that the end-stop position has been reached, thereby determining an arrival of the actuator device at the end-stop position without relying on said position signal of the displacement-measuring device; wherein the drive source comprises an electric motor, and the predetermined amount of energy is supplied by applying a predetermined voltage to the electric motor over the predetermined length of time.