Clutch reference position

1. A method for controlling a non-self-locking clutch actuatable by a clutch actuating system on the basis of electric power, between a drive unit and a transmission, and having a control device controlling the clutch actuating system and determining, using measured data of a sensor, a clutch position, the method, to verify a clutch reference position, comprising the steps of:

powering down the clutch actuating system for a predetermined first passive period of time or until an actuator stoppage occurs;

then determining the achieved clutch position in a first measurement and supplying electric power to the clutch actuating system for a predetermined active period of time;

then powering down the clutch actuating system again for another predetermined passive period of time or until another actuator stoppage occurs;

then determining the clutch position in another measurement; and

then checking the measured clutch position to determine whether the clutch position measured by the first or other measurement can be verified as a new clutch reference position.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein after the first measurement has been carried out power is supplied to the clutch actuating system cyclically for the predetermined active time period in a process loop, and the clutch actuator system is then again powered down for the remaining passive time period or until the actuator stoppage occurs, and after that the other measurement the clutch position is determined, and then the check is performed, the check including determining whether one of the measured clutch positions can be verified as the new clutch reference position and in that case the process loop is also ended; otherwise the process returns again to the beginning of the process loop and is run another time.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein that the last, most recent measured clutch position is verified and set as the clutch reference position, if the clutch positions determined in the last measurement and in a preceding measurement agree and lie within a plausible value range for the clutch reference position.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein for the predetermined active time period electric power is supplied to the clutch actuating system, and the clutch actuating system is then powered down again for a predetermined second passive time period or until an actuator stoppage occurs, and after that in a second measurement the clutch position is determined and then a check is performed of whether the measured clutch position can be verified as a new clutch reference position.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the second measured clutch position is verified and set as the clutch reference position, if the clutch positions determined in the first and second measurements agree and lie within a plausible value range for the clutch reference position.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein that the supplying of electric power to the clutch actuating system during the active time period causes a force effect in the direction of an clutch engagement.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the supplying of electric power to the clutch actuating system during the active time period causes a force effect in the direction of a clutch disengagement.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the supplying of electric power to the clutch actuating system during the active time period causes a force effect that alternates over time.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the clutch actuating system is supplied with electric power only at voltage or current levels that will not result in thermal overloading of the actuator motors.

10. A device for controlling a non-self-locking clutch actuatable by a clutch actuating system on the basis of electric power, between a drive unit and a transmission, comprising:

a controller controlling the clutch actuating system and using measured data of a sensor to determine a clutch position, the controller capable of carrying out the method according to claim 1 .