The invention relates to a method for controlling a driveline (10) of a vehicle (1), wherein the driveline (10) at least comprise a clutch (12) and a transmission (13), where the clutch (12) is adapted to connect the transmission to an propulsion unit (11). The method comprises the steps of;—estimating (105) an upcoming clutch temperature at least dependent on an imminent drive route, and if (106) the estimated upcoming clutch temperature is above a threshold value (T);—controlling (107) the driveline (10) in a critical heat mode, wherein in the critical heat mode the transmission (13) is controlled such that a clutch temperature increase is lower in comparison to a normal driveline control mode.

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle drive train (1) comprising a prime mover (2), comprising a transmission (3), and comprising a driven end (4). A friction-locking shift element (10) is provided, the power transmission capacity of which is variable and, with the aid of which, at least a portion of the torque transmitted in the vehicle drive train (1) can be transmitted between a transmission output shaft (8) and an area (6) of the driven end (4). One shift-element half is operatively connected to the transmission output shaft (8) and the other shift-element half is operatively connected to the area (6) of the driven end (4). The rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) is determined as a function of the rotational speed in the area (6) of the driven end (4) and also as a function of the rotational speed of the prime mover (2) and the ratio currently engaged in the area of the transmission (3). In the event of a deviation between the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) determined on the output end and the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) determined on the transmission-input end, which is greater than or equal to a threshold value and/or an operating temperature in the area of the friction-locking shift element (10), which is greater than or equal to a limiting value, measures reducing loads of the friction-locking shift element (10) are initiated.

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle drive train (1) comprising a prime mover (2), comprising a transmission (3), and comprising a driven end (4). A friction-locking shift element (10) is provided, the power transmission capacity of which is variable and, with the aid of which, at least a portion of the torque transmitted in the vehicle drive train (1) can be transmitted between a transmission output shaft (8) and an area (6) of the driven end (4). One shift-element half is operatively connected to the transmission output shaft (8) and the other shift-element half is operatively connected to the area (6) of the driven end (4). The rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) is determined as a function of the rotational speed in the area (6) of the driven end (4) and also as a function of the rotational speed of the prime mover (2) and the ratio currently engaged in the area of the transmission (3). In the event of a deviation between the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) determined on the output end and the rotational speed of the transmission output shaft (8) determined on the transmission-input end, which is greater than or equal to a threshold value and/or an operating temperature in the area of the friction-locking shift element (10), which is greater than or equal to a limiting value, measures reducing loads of the friction-locking shift element (10) are initiated.

Operating a drive train of a vehicle having a clutch assembly, wherein the clutch assembly is actuatable via an actuating device for the switchable transmission of a torque, wherein a first state of the actuating device, and thus a second state of the clutch assembly, is settable via a position of a drive unit of the actuating device, comprises: a) determining that a first torque request to the clutch assembly is constant; and b) determining that a first position of the drive unit is constant within the interval; and then c) controlling the drive unit with a dither function, wherein a position of the drive unit is continuously varied about the first position; and d) ending the dither function when the conditions stated in steps a) and b) are no longer met.

Operating a drive train of a vehicle having a clutch assembly, wherein the clutch assembly is actuatable via an actuating device for the switchable transmission of a torque, wherein a first state of the actuating device, and thus a second state of the clutch assembly, is settable via a position of a drive unit of the actuating device, comprises: a) determining that a first torque request to the clutch assembly is constant; and b) determining that a first position of the drive unit is constant within the interval; and then c) controlling the drive unit with a dither function, wherein a position of the drive unit is continuously varied about the first position; and d) ending the dither function when the conditions stated in steps a) and b) are no longer met.

A method for mitigating powertrain abuse on a grade can include determining the grade a machine is on, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain; and if the grade is over a threshold, a controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.

A launch control method is provided for a vehicle having an accelerator, a brake and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The method comprises determining: (i) a braking torque set by a vehicle operator by pressing a brake pedal of the vehicle; and (ii) a holding torque required to hold the vehicle in a stationary position. The method also determines that the operator has released the brake pedal. The brake is released whilst engaging a launch clutch of the CVT, wherein the launch clutch is engaged by increasing a clutch engagement pressure at a first pressure ramp rate, such that the sum of the braking torque and a clutch torque of the clutch remains equal to the holding torque. An acceleration torque requested by the operator via the accelerator is determined. The clutch engagement pressure is increased at a second pressure ramp rate when it is determined that the braking torque is substantially zero, such that the clutch torque is increased by the acceleration torque. A fixed minimum pressure ramp rate is stored, wherein the minimum pressure ramp rate increases the clutch engagement pressure towards a maximum engagement pressure. The current pressure ramp rate is compared with the minimum pressure ramp rate, and the clutch engagement pressure is switched to the minimum pressure ramp rate if the current pressure ramp rate is less than the minimum pressure ramp rate.

A launch control method is provided for a vehicle having an accelerator, a brake and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The method comprises determining: (i) a braking torque set by a vehicle operator by pressing a brake pedal of the vehicle; and (ii) a holding torque required to hold the vehicle in a stationary position. The method also determines that the operator has released the brake pedal. The brake is released whilst engaging a launch clutch of the CVT, wherein the launch clutch is engaged by increasing a clutch engagement pressure at a first pressure ramp rate, such that the sum of the braking torque and a clutch torque of the clutch remains equal to the holding torque. An acceleration torque requested by the operator via the accelerator is determined. The clutch engagement pressure is increased at a second pressure ramp rate when it is determined that the braking torque is substantially zero, such that the clutch torque is increased by the acceleration torque. A fixed minimum pressure ramp rate is stored, wherein the minimum pressure ramp rate increases the clutch engagement pressure towards a maximum engagement pressure. The current pressure ramp rate is compared with the minimum pressure ramp rate, and the clutch engagement pressure is switched to the minimum pressure ramp rate if the current pressure ramp rate is less than the minimum pressure ramp rate.

A method for assessing the damage to at least one load-carrying component of a working machine, an actual load collective is determined during operation of the at least one load-carrying component and, on the basis thereof, an actual degree of damage to the at least one load-carrying component is determined. At least one test load collective is retained, which is determined during testing of the at least one load-carrying component, in order to derive from such testing a test degree of damage. During the method, the test degree of damage is compared with the actual degree of damage and at least one control signal is emitted on the basis of the comparison between the at least one test degree of damage and the actual degree of damage.

A method for assessing the damage to at least one load-carrying component of a working machine, an actual load collective is determined during operation of the at least one load-carrying component and, on the basis thereof, an actual degree of damage to the at least one load-carrying component is determined. At least one test load collective is retained, which is determined during testing of the at least one load-carrying component, in order to derive from such testing a test degree of damage. During the method, the test degree of damage is compared with the actual degree of damage and at least one control signal is emitted on the basis of the comparison between the at least one test degree of damage and the actual degree of damage.