Abstract: An apparatus for engaging and disengaging a clutch, which is applicable to a vehicle provided with a so-called semiautomatic clutch, and which can prevent occurrence of an engagement shock and jerky acceleration of a vehicle when an automatic engaging and disengaging mode and a manual engaging and disengaging mode are switched from one to the other. The apparatus includes a manual disconnection/connection device (2) for manually engaging and disengaging the clutch (1) by operating a clutch pedal (9), an automatic disconnection/connection device (3) for automatically engaging and disengaging the clutch (1) in accordance with a predetermined input signal, and switching control device (14) for switching between a manual engaging and disengaging mode and an automatic engaging and disengaging mode after the clutch (1) has been engaged. This post-engagement switching operation can prevent an engagement shock during the same operation.

Abstract: A clutch between the combustion engine and the manual multiple-gear-ratio transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle is disengaged or otherwise adjusted in response to a signal from a control unit which processes signals transmitted by sensors serving to monitor the positions and/or the extent of movements of one or more mobile components of the manual transmission. A signal to disengage or to otherwise adjust the clutch is generated when the monitored position(s) of and/or the magnitude(s) of force(s) acting upon one or more mobile components indicate that the operator of the motor vehicle intends to shift the transmission into or from a selected gear ratio.