FLATNESS – BASED CLUTCH CONTROL FOR AUTOMATED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS

Control of the clutch position is a crucial point for automating manual transmissions. Here, an electrohydraulic clutch position control system is considered. Based on the flatness approach, a nonlinear feedforward control is designed, which is combined with a linear feedback control and implemented on a standard transmission control unit. Experiments with a Mercedes–Benz Sprinter and a Mercedes–Benz CLK prove that this new control system is significantly superior to conventional control concepts, and provides an accurate trajectory tracking of the clutch position. Copyright 2002 IFAC