Abstract: An automated clutch between the engine and the variable-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is operated by a control unit which receives signals from several circuits and/or sensors via one or more conductors. The control unit shifts from a normal operating mode to an emergency mode when one or more sensors and/or circuits and/or conductors are defective. When in emergency mode, the control unit disengages the clutch when the driver starts the engine while the vehicle brake or the parking brake is applied. This ensures that the engine can drive the vehicle as soon as the transmission is shifted into a forward gear or into reverse gear and the application of the brake or brakes is terminated because the control unit is then again free to engage the clutch. Furthermore, such mode of operation enables the driver to shift the transmission into or from a selected gear in response to the application of a relatively small force to the gear shifting lever.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wherein the power train comprises an automated clutch between the engine and a manually shiftable transmission. The control circuit for the clutch is designed in such a way that the clutch is disengaged in response to actuation of the gear shifting lever simultaneously with one or more additional undertakings such as actuation of the gas pedal and of one or more brakes, a reduction of the speed of the vehicle below a preselected value, and/or many others.

Abstract: A power train in a motor vehicle has an automated clutch which is operated by a control unit by way of an actuator. The control unit receives signals from various parts of the engine, from the brake or brakes and from the transmission; such signals are processed and transmitted to the clutch by way of the actuator so that, when the vehicle is to carry out a crawling movement, the torque being transmitted by the then partly engaged clutch is properly related to the engine torque to ensure a predictable crawling movement of the vehicle regardless of eventual shifts of the operating point of the clutch and/or fluctuations of other parameters of the engine, transmission and/or clutch. The crawling movement can begin when the brake(s) is or are idle, the gas pedal is not depressed, and the engine is running; and crawling movement begins in response to shifting of the transmission into gear.

Abstract: In a method of controlling an automatic clutch disposed between a motor, especially an internal combustion engine, and the drive train of a vehicle which includes an arbitrarily operable transmission, the clutch is engaged in dependence on the torque generated by the motor in such a manner that the torque which can be transmitted by the clutch is only slightly above the motor-generated torque and, immediately after a transmission ratio change, the clutch is first fully engaged for the transmission of maximum torque if the motor torque exceeds a certain threshold value.

Abstract: In a control for an automatic clutch disposed between the engine and the drive train of a vehicle for controlling the vehicle movement at start or during transitional phases, the clutch is controlled in such a way that, with a predetermined low engine speed, movement of the vehicle at a predetermined creeping speed is obtained.

Abstract: In a method of controlling an automatic clutch arranged between an engine and a drive train of a vehicle in vehicle startup situations wherein the clutch is engaged to such a degree that only a small torque can be transmitted through the clutch and wherein the clutch is increasingly engaged when engine power output is increased, the clutch is immediately returned toward disengagement if, during vehicle startup, the engine power output requirements are suddenly reduced and, after a predetermined delay, the clutch is adjusted to the new situation that is to a standstill of the vehicle or to a renewed startup situation.

Abstract: In a method of operating an automatic clutch arranged between an engine and a drive train of a vehicle during low speed operation of the vehicle which has a brake system, a clutch control unit and sensors supplying to the clutch control unit information concerning vehicle speed and actuation of the brake system, the clutch is controlled below a certain vehicle speed to transmit only a limited torque to the drive train and, upon actuation of the brake system, the clutch is controlled such that the torque transmitted to the drive train decreases with increasing effectiveness of the brake system.

Abstract: A cam control between a brake pedal and an adjusting lever for actuating a locking device for a selector lever of an automatically shifting change gear is so designed that the moments resulting on the brake pedal from the actuation of the locking device are approximately zero in a narrow pivot-angle range of the brake pedal which contains the position of rest.

Abstract: An installation for damping vibrations in the drive connection of a motor vehicle by a vibration absorber which includes, in coaxial arrangement with the cardan shaft, an annular vibrating mass, a carrier flange adapted to be secured to the cardan shaft, and a resilient body of an elastomeric material which effects the vibration coupling of the vibrating mass with the carrier body of the carrier flange; stiffening elements are inserted into the resilient body which serve as stiffening elements effective in the radial direction; additionally apertures are provided in the resilient body on both sides of the stiffening elements which enable an intentional reduction of its torsional stiffness so that a resonant frequency rate f.sub.r /f.sub.t of 2.5 or more can be realized for the vibration absorber.