Engagement slip controller development based on actuator displacement for an electro-mechanical friction clutch system

This paper describes a controller development for an electro-mechanical friction clutch (EMFC) system for automotive applications and especially for vehicles that use continuously variable transmission. The work focuses on developing an EMFC engagement controller based on experimental work using a Proportional Derivative (PID) controller algorithm to engage the dry friction clutch. The EMFC is electromechanically actuated using a DC motor system, such that a smooth engagement process can be performed satisfactorily. To develop the controller, the dynamic behaviors of the EMFC system are investigated by performing tests on the EMFC bench-test. Results from this experiment show that the percentage of slip between the input and output shaft of the EMFC system depends on the input speed and output torque. Therefore, by applying slip control, engagement of the EMFC can be controlled and achieved for any input speed and torque during the standing start of a vehicle