Method of and apparatus for operating a torque transmitting system in the power train of a motor vehicle

Claim 2

A motor vehicle comprising a power train including an adjustable fuel-consuming prime mover arranged to transmit a variable torque, an automated torque transmitting system actuatable to assume engaged and disengaged conditions, and a transmission shiftable into a plurality of gears, one of said system and said transmission being arranged to transmit torque from said prime mover to the other of said system and said transmission; means for varying the torque of said prime mover; at least one brake; means for selecting the consumption of fuel by said prime mover, said at least one brake and said selecting means having idle and operated conditions; and means for actuating said system, including means for engaging said system for transmission of a predeterminable torque which entails a creeping movement of the vehicle while said prime mover transmits torque, while said at least one brake and said selecting means are idle, and while said transmission is in gear, said means for varying including means for effecting a predetermined increase of the torque being transmitted by said prime mover when said system is engaged to induce said creeping movement of the vehicle.

Claim 3

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said means for engaging said system includes an actor.

Claim 4

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes means for initiating a torque regulating action of said means for varying the torque of said prime mover.

Claim 5

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said selecting means includes a mobile gas pedal.

Claim 6

The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor having means for transmitting to said actuating means signals denoting at least one variable parameter.

Claim 7

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said means for engaging includes an actor having means for effecting the transmission by said system of a predetermined torque which entails said creeping movement of the vehicle.

Claim 8

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said predeterminable torque at least approximates the torque being transmitted by said prime mover when said system is engaged to induce said creeping movement of the vehicle.

Claim 9

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said transmission is a manually shiftable transmission.

Claim 10

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said transmission is an automated transmission.

Claim 11

The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said actuating means further comprises adjustable means for shifting said automated transmission and means for controlling said shifting means.

Claim 12

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said means for varying is operative to increase the torque being transmitted by said prime mover in a plurality of steps.

Claim 13

The vehicle of claim 11, wherein at least some steps of said plurality of steps are at least substantially identical.

Claim 14

The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said means for varying is operative to increase the torque being transmitted by said prime mover in at least one step.

Claim 15

The vehicle of claim 13, wherein said at least one step has a magnitude which is a function of an operating point of one of said prime mover and said torque transmitting system.

Claim 16

A motor vehicle comprising a power train including an adjustable energy-consuming prime mover arranged to transmit a variable torque, an automated torque transmitting system actuatable to assume engaged and disengaged conditions, and a transmission shiftable into a plurality of gears, one of said system and said transmission being arranged to transmit torque from said prime mover to the other of said system and said transmission; means for varying the torque of said prime mover; at least one brake; means for selecting the consumption of energy by said prime mover, said at least one brake and said selecting means having idle and operated conditions; and means for actuating said system, including means for (a) engaging said system for transmission of a torque which entails a creeping movement of the vehicle while said prime mover transmits torque, while said at least one brake and said selecting means are idle, and while said transmission is in gear, and (b) reducing transmission of torque by said system to thus terminate said creeping movement in response to operation of at least one component of the vehicle, said means for varying including means for effecting a predetermined increase of the torque being transmitted by said prime mover when said system is engaged to induce said creeping movement of the vehicle.

Claim 17

A motor vehicle comprising a power train including an adjustable energy-consuming prime mover arranged to transmit a variable torque, an automated torque transmitting system actuatable to assume engaged and disengaged conditions, and a transmission shiftable into a plurality of gears, one of said system and said transmission being arranged to transmit torque from said prime mover to the other of said system and said transmission; means for varying the torque of said prime mover; at least one brake; means for selecting the consumption of energy by said prime mover, said at least one brake and said selecting means having idle and operated conditions; and means for actuating said system, including means for (a) engaging said system for transmission of a torque which entails a creeping movement of the vehicle while said prime mover transmits torque, while said at least one brake and said selecting means are idle, and while said transmission is in gear, and (b) reducing transmission of torque by said system to thus terminate said creeping movement in response to operation of at least one component of the vehicle, said means for varying including means for effecting a predetermined increase of the torque being transmitted by said prime mover when said system is engaged to induce said creeping movement of the vehicle.

Claim 18

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said actuating means includes means for initiating a torque regulating action of said means for varying the torque of said prime mover.

Claim 19

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said at least one component includes said at least one brake.

Claim 20

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said means for varying further includes means for reducing the torque which is being transmitted by said prime mover on termination of said creeping movement.

Claim 21

The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the torque being transmitted by said prime mover is reduced by a predetermined value.

Claim 22

The vehicle of claim 19, wherein said predetermined value at least approximates the extent of the reduction of torque transmission by said system to terminate said creeping movement.

Claim 23

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said means for varying is operative to reduce, in a plurality of steps, the magnitude of torque being transmitted by said prime mover when the transmission of torque by said system is reduced.

Claim 24

The vehicle of claim 21, wherein at least some steps of said plurality of steps are at least substantially identical.

Claim 25

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said means for varying is operative to reduce, in at least one step, the magnitude of torque being transmitted by said prime mover when the transmission of torque by said system is reduced.

Claim 26

The vehicle of claim 23, wherein said at least one step has a magnitude which is a function of an operating point of one of said prime mover and said torque transmitting system.

Claim 27

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said transmission is a manually shiftable transmission.

Claim 28

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said transmission is an automated transmission.

Claim 29

The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said actuating means further comprises adjustable means for shifting said automated transmission and means for controlling said shifting means.

Claim 32

The method of claim 28, further comprising a third step of terminating the creeping movement including disengaging the torque transmitting system and thereafter reducing the torque being transmitted by the prime mover.