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 vehicle start control method includes: a condition determination step of determining, by a controller, whether or not it is necessary to control an engine torque in addition to a slip control of a clutch when a vehicle has started moving; and an engine control step of controlling, by the controller, the engine torque according to an engine error revolutions per minute (RPM) which is a difference between a target engine RPM and an actually measured engine RPM, when it is necessary to control the engine torque in addition to the slip control of the clutch.

A drive device and methods for operating a drive device of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a dual-clutch transmission. The dual-clutch transmission has two clutches, by means of which the transmission can be connected to the internal combustion engine. At least the internal combustion engine is actuated in a driving operation in order to generate a target drive torque, and the clutches are actuated in opposite directions for a gear shift. During a gear shift, the electric machine, which is connected to the dual-clutch transmission without a clutch, is actuated such that the electric machine completely or partly generates the target torque at least temporarily.

A vehicle start control method includes: a condition determination step of determining, by a controller, whether or not it is necessary to control an engine torque in addition to a slip control of a clutch when a vehicle has started moving; and an engine control step of controlling, by the controller, the engine torque according to an engine error revolutions per minute (RPM) which is a difference between a target engine RPM and an actually measured engine RPM, when it is necessary to control the engine torque in addition to the slip control of the clutch.

A controller causes a clutch to transition from a half-engaged state to an engaged state when a difference in rotational velocity between input and output sides of the clutch falls within a predetermined range in the half-engaged state of the clutch. The controller executes a moving start control to increase an output rotational velocity of a prime mover and cause the clutch to transition to the engaged state when a predetermined first condition is satisfied in the half-engaged state of the clutch.

A controller causes a clutch to transition from a half-engaged state to an engaged state when a difference in rotational velocity between input and output sides of the clutch falls within a predetermined range in the half-engaged state of the clutch. The controller executes a moving start control to increase an output rotational velocity of a prime mover and cause the clutch to transition to the engaged state when a predetermined first condition is satisfied in the half-engaged state of the clutch.

A control system for a hybrid vehicle configured to limit a thermal damage to a starting clutch without generating a shock. The control system is applied to a vehicle in which a prime mover includes an engine, a first motor, and a second motor. In the vehicle, the first motor is connected to the engine, and a first clutch and a second clutch are disposed between the engine and drive wheels. A controller executes a transient slip control to cause the second clutch to slip while bringing the slipping first clutch into complete engagement if a temperature of the first clutch is high. If an engine speed is changed during execution of the transient slip control, the first motor generates a collection torque to suppress the change in the engine speed.

The invention relates to a method for operating a drive device (1) of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine (2), an electric machine (3), and a dual-clutch transmission (4). The dual-clutch transmission (4) has two clutches (K1, K2), by means of which the transmission can be connected to the internal combustion engine (2). At least the internal combustion engine (2) is actuated in a driving operation in order to generate a target drive torque, and the clutches (K1, K2) are actuated in opposite directions for a gear shift. During a gear shift, the electric machine (3) which is connected to the dual-clutch transmission (4) without a clutch is actuated such that the electric machine completely or partly generates the target torque at least temporarily.

A system and method for controlling engine clutch slip for a hybrid vehicle, in which it is determined whether an engine clutch has entered a slip mode and lubrication of the engine clutch is easily achieved through an additional lubrication hydraulic pressure circuit whenever the engine clutch enters the slip mode, thereby achieving the engine clutch slip control in all shift ranges including low-speed and medium-speed ranges and maintaining the heat energy that is generated from the engine clutch at a predetermined level or lower.