Method and device for controlling the clutch of a vehicle

In a device for controlling the clutch of an engine driven vehicle, comprising:

• signal generating means (8) for receiving at their input a plurality of information signals (S.sub.INF) and for generating at their output a reference torque signal (C.sub.RIF) representing at least one desired value of the torque transmitted through the clutch (5);
• position detecting means (11) coupled to the said clutch (5) for generating at their output a reaction signal (X) correlated to the position of an actuating member (4) of the said clutch (5), the said position of the actuating member (4) being located between a first end-of-travel position in which the clutch (5) is completely open and a second end-of-travel position in which the clutch (5) is completely closed;
• storage means (12) for storing in memory a transmissibility function (F(X)) of the clutch (5) for receiving at their input said reaction signal (X) and for generating at their output, on the basis of the reaction signal (X) and the stored transmissibility function (F(X)), an estimated torque signal (C.sub.ST) representing at least one estimated value of the torque transmitted through the clutch (5);
• control means (9, 10) for receiving at their input said reference torque signal and said estimated torque signal (C.sub.RIF) and for generating at their output a control signal (C.sub.M) for adjusting the position of the said actuating member (4) of the clutch (5);
• the improvement comprising:
• means (20-29) for updating the transmissibility function (F(X)) of the clutch (5) as a function of the torque and angular speed of said engine thereby to adapt it to any variations, over time, of the mechanical characteristics of the clutch (5) itself, and
• wherein the updating means (20-29) update said transmissibility function (F(X)) during operation of the clutch (5), and wherein the storage means (12) include a table comprising the transmissibility function (F(X));
• the transmissibility function (F(X)) defining a one-to-one relationship between each of the instantaneous values (X.sub.i) of the reaction signal (X) and a corresponding instantaneous value (C.sub.FRIZ.sub.--OLD) of the estimated torque signal (C.sub.ST).