A method ascertains a characteristic variable of a clutch installed into the powertrain of a vehicle for transmitting torque between a clutch input and a clutch output. A first electric motor is connected to the clutch input to introduce a first drive torque into the clutch. The torque is ascertained when the vehicle is at a standstill in that the clutch is first opened; the first electric motor is regulated at a first rotational speed; the clutch output is regulated at a second rotational speed; a counter torque which counteracts the transmission torque is applied to the clutch output; the clutch is then closed in order to assume a slipping state in which a specific differential rotational speed between the clutch input and the clutch output is present; the first drive torque is then ascertained; and the transmission torque is determined on the basis of the first drive torque.

A method to control a road vehicle provided with a clutch, which connects an internal combustion engine to drive wheels and is arranged upstream of a servo-assisted transmission; the control method comprises the steps of: checking whether the tyres of the drive wheels are close to a grip limit; and opening the clutch so that the clutch transmits a torque to the drive wheels with a slip of the clutch that is constant and other than zero when the tyres of the drive wheels are close to the grip limit.

A method ascertains a characteristic variable of a clutch installed into the powertrain of a vehicle for transmitting torque between a clutch input and a clutch output. A first electric motor is connected to the clutch input to introduce a first drive torque into the clutch. The torque is ascertained when the vehicle is at a standstill in that the clutch is first opened; the first electric motor is regulated at a first rotational speed; the clutch output is regulated at a second rotational speed; a counter torque which counteracts the transmission torque is applied to the clutch output; the clutch is then closed in order to assume a slipping state in which a specific differential rotational speed between the clutch input and the clutch output is present; the first drive torque is then ascertained; and the transmission torque is determined on the basis of the first drive torque.

A dog clutch engagement method of an electric four-wheel drive vehicle includes steps of: when dog clutch engagement is requested during driving, determining a target synchronization speed of the input gear to be a sum of an estimated speed and an offset speed of the output gear; operating a drive unit so that an input gear follows the target synchronization speed; when an actual speed of the input gear reaches the target synchronization speed, moving a sleeve to a meeting position at which the sleeve is in contact with the input gear; and when the actual speed of the input gear is synchronized with an actual speed of the output gear, transporting the sleeve to an engagement position at which the input gear and the output gear are coupled.

A method ascertains a characteristic variable of a clutch installed into the powertrain of a vehicle for transmitting torque between a clutch input and a clutch output. A first electric motor is connected to the clutch input to introduce a first drive torque into the clutch. The torque is ascertained when the vehicle is at a standstill in that the clutch is first opened; the first electric motor is regulated at a first rotational speed; the clutch output is regulated at a second rotational speed; a counter torque which counteracts the transmission torque is applied to the clutch output; the clutch is then closed in order to assume a slipping state in which a specific differential rotational speed between the clutch input and the clutch output is present; the first drive torque is then ascertained; and the transmission torque is determined on the basis of the first drive torque.

A dog clutch engagement method of an electric four-wheel drive vehicle includes steps of: when dog clutch engagement is requested during driving, determining a target synchronization speed of the input gear to be a sum of an estimated speed and an offset speed of the output gear; operating a drive unit so that an input gear follows the target synchronization speed; when an actual speed of the input gear reaches the target synchronization speed, moving a sleeve to a meeting position at which the sleeve is in contact with the input gear; and when the actual speed of the input gear is synchronized with an actual speed of the output gear, transporting the sleeve to an engagement position at which the input gear and the output gear are coupled.

A method ascertains a characteristic variable of a clutch installed into the powertrain of a vehicle for transmitting torque between a clutch input and a clutch output. A first electric motor is connected to the clutch input to introduce a first drive torque into the clutch. The torque is ascertained when the vehicle is at a standstill in that the clutch is first opened; the first electric motor is regulated at a first rotational speed; the clutch output is regulated at a second rotational speed; a counter torque which counteracts the transmission torque is applied to the clutch output; the clutch is then closed in order to assume a slipping state in which a specific differential rotational speed between the clutch input and the clutch output is present; the first drive torque is then ascertained; and the transmission torque is determined on the basis of the first drive torque.

A method for synchronizing a first drive element rotatable about an axis of rotation with a second drive element rotating about the axis of rotation at a target speed, of a powertrain of a motor vehicle, in which a synchronizing force is exerted on a synchronizing unit by an actuator. A speed, at which the first drive element rotates about the axis of rotation is adapted by the synchronizing unit to the target speed. The synchronizing force is increased during a first time span, so that the speed approaches the target speed. The synchronizing force is continuously reduced during a second time span following the first time span, before the speed corresponds to the target speed.

A method to control a road vehicle provided with a clutch, which connects an internal combustion engine to drive wheels and is arranged upstream of a servo-assisted transmission; the control method comprises the steps of: checking whether the tyres of the drive wheels are close to a grip limit; and opening the clutch so that the clutch transmits a torque to the drive wheels with a slip of the clutch that is constant and other than zero when the tyres of the drive wheels are close to the grip limit.

A control system for a vehicle configured to accurately learn an initial engagement position of a clutch. The control system is applied to a vehicle comprising a clutch that selectively transmits power between a prime mover and drive wheels, and a detector that detects an input speed of the clutch rotated by the prime mover. A controller executes a learning of the initial engagement position of the clutch, if a reaction time until an input speed of the clutch is changed by engaging the clutch gradually while maintaining the input speed of the clutch to a constant speed is shorter than a threshold period of time.