Powertrain method and apparatus

A method for operating a powertrain of a vehicle, wherein the powertrain has at least one transmission housing and a clutch assembly arranged therein with a clutch that operates interlockingly as well as an actuator for actuating the clutch;

• wherein the clutch comprises at least a first clutch component displaceable in an axial direction and a second clutch component which are interlockingly connected to one another when the clutch is actuated;
• wherein the actuator comprises an electromagnetic actuator with a piston;
• wherein the piston is displaced from a starting position in the axial direction into an end position when the clutch is actuated and thereby displaces the first clutch component;
• wherein the clutch components are interlockingly connected to one another only after a synchronization state has been reached;
• wherein at least the piston and the clutch are at least partially acted upon by a transmission fluid;
• the method comprising:
• a) determining a request to actuate the clutch and to establish an interlocking connection between the clutch components;
• b) energizing the actuator with a bias current, wherein the piston remains in the starting position;
• c) initiating a synchronization of speeds of the clutch components, wherein the piston remains in the starting position;
• d) determining that the synchronization state has been reached by the clutch components, wherein the piston remains in the starting position;
• and
• e) upon determining that the synchronization state has been reached by the clutch components, energizing the actuator with an actuating current, wherein the piston is displaced from the starting position into the end position.