Patent ID: 7658261

Claim:
A method for operating a drive train for a motor vehicle, wherein a torque is produced by means of an internal combustion engine as a function of a provided torque set value signal and transmitted using a clutch ( 2 a , 2 b ) onto drive wheels, wherein a closing force is applied with the help of an electric motor ( 14 a , 14 b ), the clutch ( 2 a , 2 b ) being held using said closing force against a restoring force in a closed position, and wherein the electric motor ( 14 a , 14 b ) is energized in such a way that a high current is used in the case of a high torque and a lower current is used in the case of a lower torque, said method comprising the steps of determining the thermal load of the electric motor ( 14 a , 14 b ); generating a load signal corresponding to the thermal load; comparing the load signal with a load limit signal assigned to a permissible load range of the electric motor ( 14 a , 14 b ); and limiting the torque of the internal combustion engine if the load signal deviates from the load limit signal.