Method and device for controlling a motor vehicle drive train

A method of controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle having an automatically shifted starting and gear-shift clutch (43) and an automatic transmission (46), the method comprising the steps of:

• generating a first control command when a transmission gear is engaged;
• sending the first control command to at least one activation mechanism (14) for the clutch actuator (4) to disengage the gear-shift clutch (43);
• monitoring at least one of a driving speed of the vehicle, actuation of a clutch actuator (4), and actuation of a gear actuator (8) with at least one sensor and control program;
• transmitting information concerning at least one of the driving speed of the vehicle, the actuation of the clutch actuator (4), the actuation of the gear actuator (8) from the at least one of the sensor and the control program to a control unit (31);
• generating a second control command, with the control unit (31), based on the information transmitted from the at least one of the sensor and the control program, if the driving speed of the vehicle is substantially zero and the actuation of the clutch actuator (4) indicates an undesired engagement of the automatically shifted starting and gear-shift clutch (43) is initiated;
• transmitting the second control command from the control unit (31) to a first actuation mechanism (17, 18);
• and
• actuating the gear actuator (8) with the first actuation mechanism (17, 18), when the first actuation mechanism (17, 18) receives the first control command, causing the gear actuator (8) to shift the automatic transmission (46) into a neutral position.

A device for controlling a drivetrain of a vehicle having an engine (45), an automatic transmission (46), and an automatically actuated starting and gear-shift clutch (43) with an input side (39) thereof continuously connected to a crankshaft (41) of the engine (45) and an output side (40) thereof continuously connected to an input shaft (42) of the automatic transmission (46), the device comprising:

• a clutch actuator (4) which, in relation to an actuation movement of clutch actuator (4), is not self-locking;
• a gear actuator (8) for engaging and disengaging transmission gears;
• a control unit (31) which, based upon information received from sensors and control programs, generates control commands for the clutch actuator (4) and the gear actuator (8) and transmits the control commands to the clutch actuator (4) and the gear actuator (8);
• a mechanism (33) for determining a speed of the vehicle;
• and
• a path sensor (25) and an active time determination device (35) for detecting a start of an undesired engagement of the clutch actuator (4) while a gear is engaged, the path sensor (25) and the active time determination device (35) co-operate with the control unit (31) such that, if the speed of vehicle is substantially zero, the control unit (31) directs an actuation mechanism (17, 18) of the gear actuator (8) to shift the transmission (46) into a neutral position.