Patent ID: 7359785

Claim:
A starting device for motor vehicles comprising: a friction element arranged between an engine and wheels and capable of transmitting torque between the engine and the wheels; a press force applier capable of applying press force to the friction element; and a control unit that controls the press force so that a torque transmission state of the friction element can be changed from a disengagement state of interrupting torque flow between the engine and the wheels to an engagement state of completely transmitting the torque therebetween without a slippage of the friction element, wherein the control unit includes a creep demand degree judging means that judges a creep demand degree of a driver for starting a motor vehicle after substantial stop of the motor vehicle with applying brake force to the wheels and outputs a creep demand degree signal, a creep time setting means that sets creep time based on the creep demand degree signal and outputs a creep time signal, and a creep torque producing means that produces creep torque by controlling the press force to obtain a slipping state of the friction element for a period determined based on the creep time signal.