Control method for dual-clutch transmission with multiple first gears

A method of controlling a dual-clutch transmission assembly of a vehicle, the dual-clutch transmission assembly having a first clutch that is connected to a first shaft carrying a primary first gear and a second clutch that is connect to a second shaft carrying a duplicate first gear, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing torque to both the first clutch and the second clutch;
• engaging the first and second clutches, the primary first gear, and the duplicate first gear contemporaneously during a vehicle launch to split the torque transmitted through the first and second clutches evenly between first and second torque flow paths, the first torque flow path passing through the first clutch, the first shaft, and the primary first gear, the second torque flow path passing through the second clutch, the second shaft, and the duplicate first gear;
• transferring the torque from both the first and second torque flow paths to a final drive assembly of the vehicle;
• disengaging the first clutch, the primary first gear, and the duplicate first gear after the vehicle launch while the second clutch remains engaged;
• and
• engaging a second gear carried on the second shaft to shift the dual-clutch transmission to a second forward gear ratio after the vehicle launch and create a third torque flow path passing through the second clutch, the second shaft, and the second gear.