Vehicle rollback control apparatus and method

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a control system for a vehicle, the vehicle having a powertrain comprising a prime mover and a driveline, the control system being configured selectively to control the driveline to assume a first state in which a transmission of the driveline is substantially fully connected to the prime mover and a second state in which when the vehicle is stationary the transmission is at least partially disconnected or decoupled from the prime mover thereby to reduce a torque loading on the prime mover, the control system being configured to control the driveline to assume the second state when the vehicle is held stationary by brake means in response to actuation of driver operable brake control means, the control system being operable upon release of the brake control means to verify that a first portion of a powertrain of the vehicle is rotating at a speed exceeding a prescribed threshold and to command the driveline to assume the first state before permitting release of the brake means.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.