Devices for automatic wear compensation in motor vehicle friction clutch operating mechanisms

Claim 1

In a motor vehicle friction clutch operating mechanism comprising: a movable control lever articulated to said vehicle and operable by a driver of said vehicle to effect a working stroke for clutch disengagement; a rocker arm pivoted to said vehicle; a movable collar co-operating with said rocker arm to control disengagement of said friction clutch by effecting a displacement which is related to an angular position of said rocker arm, and a tension element interconnecting said rocker arm and said control lever and which, during a said working stroke, causes a rotation of said rocker arm with a consequent displacement of said movable collar in a direction which effects disengagement of said clutch, a device for automatic wear compensation, wherein the improvements consist in: said rocker arm comprising a first rigid element pivoted to said vehicle; a second rigid element; and a pivot connecting said elements which is substantially parallel to said pivot axis of said first element to said vehicle; a locking arm movable by said tension element during a said working stroke; a pivot connecting said locking arm with said second element for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to said pivot axes; locking means between said locking arm and said first element preventing rotation of said first element relative to said locking arm when said rocker arm is rotated, during a said working stroke, by the action of said tension element while allowing rotation of said first element in an opposite direction relative to said locking arm; resilient means connecting said first and second elements and biassing said second element towards said first element when said first element moves in said opposite direction to maintain locking of said locking means; and fixed stop means co-operating with said second element to limit, at a predetermined value, an angular displacement of said second element in said opposite direction, so that said first element can assume a wear-compensating position relative to said second element in a rest position of said control lever.