Method and apparatus for adapting a clutch torque

1. A method for adjusting a relationship, stored in an electronic control unit, between a torque transmittable by a clutch, and a control variable for controlling an actuation unit of the clutch, which clutch is arranged in an automated motor vehicle drive train between a drive motor and a transmission, the drive train including a torque detection device arranged between the clutch and a transmission having a steplessly changeable transmission ratio, said method comprising the steps of: producing in the torque detection device an output parameter dependent upon a detected torque and a momentary transmission ratio of the transmission, calculating the torque transmitted by the clutch from the momentary transmission ratio and the value of the output parameter, and adjusting the transmittable torque based upon the control variable and the transmitted torque to produce an adjusted transmittable torque at an operating condition of the clutch at which the transmittable and transmitted torques of the clutch are equalized.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , whereby the transmission ratio at which an adjustment takes place is the highest possible transmission ratio of the transmission.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 , whereby an adjustment takes place when the motor vehicle is at a standstill or is creeping.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2 , whereby the transmission is a belt-driven conical pulley transmission having input and output side conical disk pairs and including an endless torque-transmitting means, whose output side conical disk pair before beginning and during adaptation adaptation adjustment is acted upon with a higher pressure for pressing against the endless torque-transmitting means.

5. A method in accordance with claim 2 , including the step of: activating in a transmission control unit a target transmission ratio value that corresponds to a higher transmission ratio than the highest possible transmission ratio before beginning and during the adjustment.

6. A method in accordance with claim 2 , including the step of: activating an increased transmission input target rotational speed in a transmission control unit before beginning and during the adjustment.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , whereby the output parameter is an hydraulic medium pressure, and the method includes the step of providing a monitoring device by means of which an adjustment is preventable by an influence on the pressure of the hydraulic medium that is not dependent upon the torque.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein when the transmission ratio of the transmission is different from the highest possible transmission ratio, an adjustment takes place only if it can actively be calculated.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 , whereby the output parameter is an hydraulic medium pressure, and when the transmission ratio of the transmission is different from the highest possible transmission ratio, an adjustment takes place only if a measured value of the output parameter with a fully disengaged clutch lies below a value that is measured at the clutch when it is adjusted to a target clutch torque.

10. Apparatus for adjusting the transmittable torque of a clutch in an automated motor vehicle drive train including a drive motor, which is connected through the clutch with a transmission having a steplessly variable transmission ratio, said apparatus comprising: a torque detection device for detecting an input torque of the transmission, which torque detection device produces an output parameter which is dependent upon the torque and the transmission ratio of the transmission, and an electronic control unit for controlling a clutch actuation unit with a control value, in which control unit a characteristic curve is stored which gives a target torque transmittable by the clutch as a function of a control variable, which control unit is constructed for adjusting the characteristic curve as a function of the output parameter.