Mild-HEVs and Launch Management to Relieve Dry Clutch from Thermal Damage

Repeated engagements in dry clutch systems could result in strong interface temperature increase. In dry clutch based transmissions like AMTs and DCTs the overheating leads to poor control of gearshift quality due to unpredictable and fast change of frictional characteristic. Even permanent damage of clutch facings may occur. In next years, it is expected a ceaseless mild-hybridization process in automotive environment due to affordable implementation costs along with pollutant and fuel consumption reduction. The goal of this paper is to focus on the role of electric motor in mild-HEVs to assist vehicle launch and relieve dry clutch from thermal damage.