Electromagnetic clutch and method of actuating an electromagnetic clutch

The method of actuating an electromagnetic clutch comprising

• a shifting sleeve which is arranged on a shaft for joint rotation therewith and is linearly displaceable along the shaft between a first engaged position, a second engaged position and a disengaged position located between the engaged positions,
• a first clutch body and a second clutch body, which are axially spaced apart from each other and are each aligned coaxially with the shaft, each clutch body having an internal toothing, and
• a stator having a first and a second energizable coil for direct or indirect adjustment of the shifting sleeve along the shaft,
• the shifting sleeve having a first toothing for engaging the internal toothing of the first clutch body in the first engaged position and a second toothing for engaging the internal toothing of the second clutch body in the second engaged position, and
• a locking device which prevents the shifting sleeve from moving beyond the disengaged position in the direction of the further engaged position when the shifting sleeve is displaced out of an engaged position in the direction of the disengaged position,
• the locking device comprising a control unit which is set up to regulate an energization of the first coil and the second coil such that when the shifting sleeve is displaced from an engaged position in the direction of the disengaged position, a movement of the shifting sleeve beyond the disengaged position in the direction of the further engaged position is prevented,
• the method comprising:
• while the shifting sleeve is in a disengaged position, the first or the second coil is energized, causing the shifting sleeve to be moved in the direction of the corresponding engaged position, and
• during a subsequent movement of the shifting sleeve out of the engaged position in the direction of the disengaged position, the control unit regulates an energization of the first coil and the second coil such that when the shifting sleeve is displaced from an engaged position in the direction of the disengaged position, a movement of the shifting sleeve beyond the disengaged position in the direction of the further engaged position is prevented.