Procedure for the detection of the direction of rotation and secondary side of a starting clutch

A method of detecting a direction of rotation of a secondary side of a mechanical, centrifugal starting clutch (16) having a primary side connected to an output shaft (19) of a drive motor (14) and a secondary side connected to an input shaft (21) of a transmission (18), the method comprising the steps of:

• determining and comparing a primary speed of rotation (UPrim) of the primary side of the starting clutch (16) and a secondary speed of rotation (USek) of the secondary side of the starting clutch (16);
• when the secondary speed of rotation (USek) of the secondary side of the starting clutch (16) is greater than the primary speed of rotation (UPrim) of the primary side of the starting clutch (16),
• establishing a predetermined clutch torque (MKuppel) by increasing a speed of rotation of the output shaft (19) of the drive motor (14) for a predetermined period of time (Δt) and up to a predetermined value which is proportion to an acceleration of the secondary speed of rotation (USek),
• determining and comparing the primary speed of rotation (UPrim) and the secondary speed of rotation (USek) of the starting clutch (16) during the predetermined period of time, and
• when the primary speed of rotation (UPrim) and the secondary speed of rotation (USek) are equal, indicating that the directions of rotation of the primary and the secondary sides of the starting clutch (16) are the same, and
• when the primary speed of rotation of the primary side of the starting clutch (16) decreases during the predetermined period of time, indicating that the directions of rotation of the primary side and the secondary side of the starting clutch are different.

A method for determining a rotational direction of a secondary side of an automotive centrifugal starting clutch (16) in which the secondary side of the starting clutch (16)is connected to a transmission input shaft (21) while a primary side of the starting clutch (16) is connected to a drive shaft (19) of a drive motor (14), the method comprising the following steps:

• sensing a primary rotational speed (UPrim) of the primary side and a secondary rotational speed (USek) of the secondary side of the starting clutch (16);
• if the sensed secondary rotational speed (USek) exceeds the sensed primary rotational speed (UPrim), increasing of the speed of the drive motor for a specified period (Δt) to a nominal speed value which is dependent on an acceleration of the secondary rotational speed (USek) and results in the setting of a specific clutch torque (Mclutch);
• following convergence of the primary rotational speed (UPrim) and the secondary rotational speed (USek) with one another, within the specified period, sensing a rotational direction of the primary side and the secondary side of the starting clutch (16);
• and
• following a drop in one of (a) the rotational speed of the primary side of the starting clutch (16), (b) the speed of the combustion engine (UPrim), and (c) the clutch torque (Mclutch), sensing any divergence of the rotational direction of the primary side and the secondary side of the starting clutch (16).