Patent ID: 8838306

Claim:
A method for operating a drive unit of a motor vehicle, comprising: using a controller, adiusting an actual value of a first output variable of the drive unit toward a setpoint value for the first output variable; and restricting the actual value of the first output variable of the drive unit as a function of a specified comparison process, wherein the specified comparison process includes: specifying a setpoint value for a second output variable of the drive unit, wherein the second output variable includes one of a rotational speed or a velocity; using the controller, adjusting an actual value of the second output variable towards the setpoint value for the second output variable; determining the actual value of the second output variable of the drive unit; comparing the setpoint value for the second output variable with the actual value of the second output variable; and selecting a limit value from which the actual value of the first output variable is permitted to deviate in accordance with the setpoint value for the first output variable, but which the actual value of the first output variable is not permitted to exceed, the selecting being based on the comparing of the setpoint value for the second output variable with the actual value of the second output variable, such that the limit value is selected to be greater when the actual value of the second output variable does not exceed the setpoint value than when the actual value of the second output variable exceeds the setpoint value.