Abstract: The control device for a motor-vehicle friction clutch incorporates an electric motor which drives an output member in a substantially translational motion through a motion conversion crank gear unit designed as a worm gearing. This axis of a worm of the crank gear unit and the resultant drive force exerted on the output member by the assigned worm gearwheel lie in a common plane normal to the axis of rotation of the worm gearwheel. A spring-type energy accumulator supports the drive motion of the electric motor in the release direction of the clutch and is tensioned in the engagement direction by the electric motor. In this way a comparatively small-sized electric motor can also be used for rapid release movements.