Method and device for detecting a clutch-bite point

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for detecting a clutch bite-point of a clutch that is connected to a driving motor. A rotational speed of the driving motor and the wheel rotational speed values of the wheels driven by the driving motor are determined. The invention further relates to a device for implementing the method. As the exact clutch bite-point is required as a release criterion for an automatic release operation of an electric parking brake in a motor vehicle, a transmission ratio (f) is determined, which is produced from a quotient of the wheel rotational speed values (v wheel ) and the rotational speed (n) of the driving motor, and that the clutch bite-point is established when the transmission ratio (f) and the rotational speed (n) of the driving motor have a local minimum.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for detecting a clutch bite-point of a clutch that is connected to a driving motor, the method comprising:
 determining rotational speed (n) of a driving motor;   determining wheel rotational speed values (v wheel ) of wheels driven by the driving motor;   determining a transmission ratio (f), wherein the transmission ratio is determined from a quotient of the wheel rotational speed values (v wheel ) and the rotational speed (n) of the driving motor; and   establishing a clutch bite-point the transmission ratio (f) and the rotational speed (n) of the driving motor have a local minimum.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a clutch pedal travel sensor ( 18 ) senses the position of a clutch pedal ( 14 ), and in that the position of the clutch pedal ( 14 ) at the clutch bite-point is saved. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a position of an accelerator pedal ( 16 ) is sensed, and the detection of the clutch bite-point is performed exclusively when the accelerator pedal ( 16 ) is not applied. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the accelerator pedal position is determined by means of an accelerator pedal travel sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the wheel rotational speed values (v wheel ) are determined by means of wheel rotational speed sensors ( 12 ,  13 ). 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the position of the clutch pedal ( 18 ), which corresponds to the clutch bite-point, is used as a criterion for the automatic release of an electric parking brake in a motor vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . A device for detecting a clutch bite-point of a clutch that is connected to a driving motor, the device comprising:
 a device for determining rotational speed (n) of the driving motor and wheel rotational speed values (v wheel ) of wheels driven by the driving motor;   a device for determining a transmission ratio (f), which is produced from a quotient of the wheel rotational speed values (f wheel ) and the rotational speed (n) of the driving motor, and detecting the clutch bite-point when the transmission ratio (f) and the rotational speed (n) of the driving motor have a local minimum.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a clutch pedal travel sensor ( 18 ) for determining the clutch pedal position, wheel rotational speed sensors ( 12 ,  13 ) for determining the wheel rotational speed values, and an accelerator pedal travel sensor for determining the accelerator pedal position.