Integration of Slip Control for Motor Vehicle Clutch Protection

The torque transmission capability of a vehicle clutch is significantly influenced by the cover assembly's clamping load and the friction characteristic of the clutch disk's facing material. The clutch facing's frictional value can be drastically reduced as a result of excessively high temperatures (“fading”). Generous safety factors have been integrated into existing clutch systems to prevent any uncontrolled clutch slip. The diaphragm springs in the cover assembly have to be designed to provide high clamping loads. High clamping loads, however, also have disadvantages: the clutch components are heavy and expensive and the elements in the actuating and releaser systems are subjected to severe loads.

The slip control presented here should serve to lower clutch system clamping loads and at the same time ensure that the clutch is reliably prevented from suffering any uncontrolled slip.