Electric actuator assembly for clutch

Abstract

An actuator for effecting engagement and disengagement of a friction clutch includes a bi-directional electric motor which is mounted on a bracket secured to a housing. The motor includes an output shaft which is connected through a flexible coupling to a ball screw shaft. A nut is mounted on the ball screw shaft such that rotational movement of the ball screw shaft causes axial movement of the nut. An enlarged collar is mounted on the nut for movement therewith. The collar is pivotably connected to a yoke secured to the upper end of a shift arm of the clutch. This pivotable connection is accomplished by a pair of posts connected to the collar which extend through respective slots formed in the legs of the yoke. The lower end of the shift arm is connected through a shift shaft to cause movement of the release bearing of the clutch in a known manner. Consequently, pivoting movement of the shift arm by operation of the motor causes engagement and disengagement of the clutch. Rotation of the output shaft of the motor in a first direction causes engagement of the clutch, while rotation of the output shaft of the motor in a second direction causes disengagement of the clutch. The operation of the motor can be controlled by an electronic control circuit.