摘要 |
<p>A friction clutch (20) coupling an engine (10) and a gear transmission (30) of a vehicle is controlled by a microprocessor based circuit using logic which defines operating modes according to engine (10) and clutch (20) conditions. During the time of clutch closure, when the vehicle is starting from rest in a startup or launch mode, the throttle or other engine control signal is restrained from quickly responding to the accelerator pedal (11). This avoids engine overspeeding which results from generating high torque before sufficient clutch capacity has been achieved. The control signal is developed as a function of the pedal position under control of throttle logic which, in turn, is dependent on clutch operating modes defined by the clutch logic. The clutch operating modes are four modes for automatic clutch operation comprising touch point approach mode which prohibits a throttle signal during initial clutch movement, creep mode or startup mode after touch point (81) occurs, and lockup mode for completing clutch closing when low clutch slip is attained. A non-automatic mode is entered before the accelerator pedal (11) is depressed or when engine (10) stall conditions are detected. <IMAGE> <IMAGE></p> |