Abstract: In the case of a control device for an at least partially four-wheel-driven motor vehicle, having a control unit which can variably distribute the driving torque of a drive unit to primary driving wheels, which are permanently connected with the drive unit, and to secondary driving wheels which, if required, can be connected by way of a transfer clutch with the drive unit, in that the control unit determines a desired clutch torque which is to be set by means of an actuator device at the transfer clutch, the control unit receives at least one input signal for detecting an accelerator pedal position and is further developed such that, when the desired clutch torque is determined, a basic pilot control fraction is taken into account, which is defined as a function of the accelerator pedal position and is corrected as a function of additional parameters which are detected or determined by the control unit.

Abstract: In the case of a control system for a vehicle with at least part-time four-wheel drive, having a control unit which detects or determines quantities proportional to the wheel speeds of all wheels and the vehicle speed, and by means of which the driving torque of a drive unit can be variably distributed to primary driving wheels, which are permanently connected with the drive unit, and to secondary driving wheels which, if required, can be connected with the drive unit, for the distribution of the driving torque, a clutch torque of a transfer clutch arranged between the drive unit and the secondary driving wheels is set by means of the control unit, and the control unit is further developed such that the clutch torque is increased if a difference is detected between the wheel speed of a wheel and the vehicle speed and/or if a difference is detected between the two wheels speeds of the wheels of at least one vehicle side.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system that includes one or more power drive units operable to supply a drive force. The power drive unit includes a motor and at least two output sections, each operably coupled to transmit the drive force to the thrust reverser movable components. Each of the output sections is operable to decouple the motor from associated thrust reverser movable components upon a torque magnitude being reached in the output section. A deadband coupler is provided to couple the first and second output sections together a time period after the torque magnitude is reached in one of the output sections.

Abstract: A method for operating a clutch (10), whose clutch slip (s) is adjusted to a setpoint value (s0) with the aid of a manipulated variable, should allow a clutch to be controlled in a particularly reliable and stable manner. To this end, the present invention provides for a slip value only being permitted to be a setpoint value (s0), when the derivative of the friction coefficient/slip characteristic at this slip value exceeds a specifiable limiting value. In particular, the setpoint value (s0) is selected as a function of a number of operating parameters, inside a range of permissible setpoint values (s0); the slip value, at which the derivative of the friction coefficient/slip characteristic falls below a specifiable limiting value, being selected as an upper limit (G) of the range of permissible setpoint values (s0).

Abstract: A method of monitoring a torque transmission system with a manually switchable gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle involves the utilization of at least one sensor unit at the input side of the torque transmission system to ascertain relevant positions of the shift lever of the gearbox and the driving torque of the engine of the motor vehicle. The thus obtained shift lever signals are memorized, together with comparison signals which are obtained as a result of filtering of the shift lever signals, and various characteristics of such signals are recognized and identified to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle regarding the switching of the gearbox. The thus obtained switching intention signals are transmitted to a controlled clutch operating system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a clutch 24 for an engine-powered system 26 in an automotive vehicle 10 is provided. In one embodiment, the engine-powered system 26 is an air conditioner system. The method includes the step 58 of generating an engine roll signal responsive to an oscillating roll movement of an engine 22 of the vehicle 10 about a torque roll axis 32. The engine roll signal is indicative of an oscillating engine roll acceleration about the torque roll axis 32. The method further includes the step 66 of determining a direction of the oscillating roll movement utilizing the engine roll signal. Finally, the method includes the step 74 of actuating the clutch 24 responsive to an operational parameter of the engine-powered system 26 and the direction of the oscillating roll movement.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a torque transmission system with a manually switchable gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle involves the utilization of at least one sensor unit at the input side of the torque transmission system to ascertain relevant positions of the shift lever of the gearbox and the driving torque of the engine of the motor vehicle. The thus obtained shift lever signals are memorized, together with comparison signals which are obtained as a result of filtering of the shift lever signals, and various characteristics of such signals are recognized and identified to indicate the intention of the operator of the vehicle regarding the switching of the gearbox. The thus obtained switching intention signals are transmitted to a controlled clutch operating system.

Abstract: A differential device (11) of the type including a clutch pack (23), engaged by a ball ramp actuator (21), which is initiated by a viscous coupling (19;101). The output of the device (11) is an output shaft (13) which is hollow and extends through the entire axial extent of the device. The viscous coupling (19;101) includes, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, an annular input coupling member (25) and an annular output coupling member (27), within the input member, to define therebetween a cylindrical viscous shear chamber (29). The output coupling member (27) at least partially surrounds the first ramp plate (41) of the ball ramp actuator (21), and is in driving engagement therewith, for improved packaging.