Actuation Device for Controlling the Power of an Internal Combustion Engine and Method for Controlling the Power of the Internal Combustion Engine

The method according to claim 1, wherein the previously defined operating state is recognized by at least one sensor, after which a control system associated with the sensor provides the assistance for locating the previously defined operating state.

A control device having a first control range in which the engine has a continuous braking torque, as a result of which the vehicle can be decelerated, and having a second control range in which the engine has a continuous drive torque, as a result of which the vehicle can be accelerated, wherein assistance is provided for locating a third control range situated between the first control range and the second control range, and, in the third control range a drive train of the engine is closed and the engine introduces neither a braking torque nor a drive torque, comprising a means to automatically determine and maintain the optimal energy supply to the engine in order to maintain the operating state of the third control range for each rotational speed over a rotational speed range that lies between previously defined limits.