Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide a way of prepositioning an engine to improve a range of driveline disconnect clutch transfer function adaptation. In one example, an engine is positioned at a location where its torque to turn exceeds a threshold torque.

A method for determining reference values of a sensor is provided. The reference values correspond to a disengaged operating condition or to an engaged operating condition of a form-locking shift element (A, F). With the aid of the sensor, at least one operating parameter of the shift element (A, F) determinable during a disengagement and during an engagement of the shift element (A, F). A torque, an actuation force of the shift element (A, F), and a differential speed between shift-element halves of the shift element (A, F) are varied during the determination of the reference values of the sensor in such that the form-locking shift element (A, F) is transferred into the disengaged operating condition or into the engaged operating condition.

Controlling a multiplate clutch situated between an input shaft and an output shaft for the switchable transmission of torques, wherein in the event of a torque request and a subsequent engagement of the multiplate clutch, includes: a) determining a setpoint engagement force, acting in an axial direction, of the multiplate clutch for transmitting a setpoint torque to the output shaft; b) determining and setting a limiting engagement force that is less than the setpoint engagement force, and c) setting the setpoint engagement force in a time-delayed manner;

wherein a transmission of an actual torque is achieved by limiting the setpoint engagement force to the limiting engagement force, so that a maximum actual torque that is transmitted upon engagement of the multiplate clutch exceeds a setpoint torque to be transmitted by at most 5%.

Provided herein is a method for calibrating a clutch by searching for the minimum of a multi-dimensional surface including determining the error between a spline function and recorded data relating to clutch characteristics, creating a multi-dimensional surface corresponding to the error values, determining the minimum of the multi-dimensional surface using the steps of performing a Steepest Gradient & Direction determination step and conducting a Golden Section Search and Switch Direction Step to find a minimum that meets a predetermined closing condition. Additionally, provided herein is a computer-implemented system for calibrating the clutch.

This clutch control device includes a clutch apparatus configured to connect and disconnect power transmission between a prime mover and an output target, a clutch actuator configured to output a driving force for actuating the clutch apparatus, a control unit configured to drive the clutch actuator, and an operating force transmission mechanism configured to transmit an operating force of a driver with respect to a clutch operator to the clutch apparatus, an operating force sensor configured to detect the operating force of the driver is provided in the operating force transmission mechanism, and the control unit drives the clutch actuator according to a detection value of the operating force sensor.

This clutch control device includes a clutch apparatus configured to connect and disconnect power transmission between a prime mover and an output target, a clutch actuator configured to output a driving force for actuating the clutch apparatus, a control unit configured to drive the clutch actuator, and an operating force transmission mechanism configured to transmit an operating force of a driver with respect to a clutch operator to the clutch apparatus, an operating force sensor configured to detect the operating force of the driver is provided in the operating force transmission mechanism, and the control unit drives the clutch actuator according to a detection value of the operating force sensor.

Systems and methods for operating a hybrid powertrain that includes an engine and a motor/generator are described. The systems and methods provide a way of prepositioning an engine to improve a range of driveline disconnect clutch transfer function adaptation. In one example, an engine is positioned at a location where its torque to turn exceeds a threshold torque.

A process of controlling an actuating assembly for a coupling in the driveline of a motor vehicle, wherein the actuating assembly comprises a drive for moving an actuating element for operating the coupling unit, sensing a position signal representing the position of the actuating element; sensing a force signal representing the operating force required for displacing the actuating element; controlling the drive by means of an electronic control unit as a function of the position signal and the force signal. Further an actuating assembly is used for carrying out the process, as well as a drive assembly having such an actuating assembly.

To downsize the periphery of reaction force applying device of a clutch controller, and set operation load more freely, in a clutch control system that links the clutch controller and a clutch device electrically, an operation reaction force is applied to a clutch lever, from reaction force applying device that uses a spring as a reaction force generation source; the reaction force applying device includes multiple reaction force generation cylinders arranged parallel to one another; and the clutch lever has an input/output arm, which extends toward an input/output part of each of the multiple reaction force generation cylinders from the vicinity of a lever support shaft, to allow transmission of operating force and reaction force between the clutch lever and the reaction force applying device.

A clutch control method for a vehicle includes steps of: calculating, by a controller, an estimated clutch torque by substituting a plurality of parameters, and a sensed stroke of a clutch actuator into a predetermined characteristic function; updating, by the controller, the parameters as new values by a prediction error method using a torque error, which is a difference between a reference clutch torque and the estimated clutch torque; calculating a desired stroke by substituting a desired clutch torque and the updated parameters into a predetermined characteristic inverse function; and driving the clutch actuator based on the calculated desired stroke to control the clutch by the controller. The plurality parameters represent physical properties of a clutch, and the predetermined characteristic function represents characteristics of a clutch transmission torque to a clutch actuator stroke. In addition, the predetermined characteristic inverse function represents a clutch actuator stroke to a clutch transmission torque.