Friction clutch assembly for a motor vehicle with a clutch actuator

A friction clutch system for a motor vehicle with an actuator for automated operation of said clutch, said friction clutch system comprising:

• a clutch housing;
• a clutch disc for being disposed on a transmission input shaft, the transmission input shaft having a rotational axis defining an axial direction parallel to the rotational axis, said clutch disc being axially movable along the axial direction;
• pressure plate means for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc with a flywheel, said pressure plate means being axially movable along the axial direction;
• said clutch disc comprising friction lining means disposed between said pressure plate means and the flywheel for contacting the flywheel and said pressure plate means upon engagement of said clutch disc;
• means for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc and said pressure plate means;
• said engaging and disengaging means comprising an actuator;
• said engaging and disengaging means comprising an electronic control system;
• said electronic control system comprising means for controlling said actuator;
• said electronic control system being configured to be a separate component from said actuator;
• said electronic control system comprising means for being disposed remotely from said actuator;
• said actuator comprising an electric motor;
• said actuator comprising an actuator output element;
• said actuator output element having a predetermined original range of movement when said friction lining means is new, for engaging and disengaging said clutch disc and said pressure plate means;
• wear compensation means;
• and
• said wear compensation means comprising means for substantially maintaining said actuator output element substantially within said predetermined original range of movement upon wear of said friction lining means to maintain a substantially constant actuation force required by said actuator to engage and disengage said clutch.