Automatic control system for a motor vehicle clutch

A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch which connects an engine with a gearbox under the control of a gear ratio selector lever operated by a driver in a vehicle, the control system controlling both initial clutch take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagement following each ratio change, clutch disengagement on movement of the gear selector lever to change the operative ratio of the gearbox, and clutch disengagement on the coming to rest of the vehicle, in which a level of clutch engagement is controlled by an electronic control unit (36) in response to an engine speed error signal derived from a comparison of current engine speed and a reference speed signal generated by the control unit, said error signal being compared with a current clutch position signal (Vc) to produce a clutch actuation signal (Vce) the system including a control on clutch abuse which is provided if an attempt is made to move away in a non take-up gear or any gear in a predetermined abusive manner by not allowing the reference signal to increase above a predetermined level as the engine speed increases thus ensuring an increase in engine speed error signal resulting in more rapid clutch engagement thereby reducing energy generation in the clutch (14).

A clutch control system for the automatic control of a motor vehicle clutch which connects an engine with a gearbox under the control of a gear ratio selector lever operated by a driver in a vehicle, the control system controlling both initial clutch take-up on starting of the vehicle, clutch re-engagement following each ratio change, clutch disengagement on movement of the gear selector lever to change the operative ratio of the gearbox, and clutch disengagement on the coming to rest of the vehicle, in which a level of clutch engagement is controlled by an electronic control unit (36) in response to an engine speed error signal derived from a comparison of current engine speed and a reference speed signal generated by the control unit, said error signal being compared with a current clutch position signal (Vc) to produce a clutch actuation signal (Vce) wherein a control on clutch abuse is provided if an attempt is made to move away in a non take-up gear or any gear in a predetermined abusive manner by rapidly increasing the reference signal to cause a rapid clutch disengagement.