Patent ID: 6080085
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B60W,F16D,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for operating an automatic clutch arranged in a drive train of a vehicle having a manual shift transmission, comprising:a sensor system sensing vehicle parameters;a control system coupled to said sensor system and interacting therewith to identify an intention on a part of a vehicle driver to shift the transmission;wherein said control system is operatively coupled with the clutch such that, at least in an event of an emergency control when the sensor system is disrupted, the control system disengages the clutch when a throttle valve of an engine of the vehicle closes, and engages the clutch when the throttle valve opens; andfurther wherein at least in the event of the emergency control of the clutch, said control system uses signals from a speed sensor of the sensor system for clutch control, which speed sensor is assigned to the engine and senses the speed of the engine, the control system functioning so as to one of disengage and operate with slip the clutch as soon as the engine speed exceeds a defined threshold value.