# US 10,309,495 B2 · Multi-speed transmission > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,495 B2 - Document ID: US10309495B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/942,667 - Filed: 2018-04-02 - Published: 2018-08-09 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-24 - Assignees: Allison Transmission, Inc. - Applicants: Allison Transmission, Inc. - Inventors: Michael Foster; Brian Schoolcraft - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309495B2 ## CPC - F16H 3/66: composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another - F16H 3/666: {with intermeshing orbital gears (F16H3/663 takes precedence)} - F16H 2200/006: the gear ratios comprising eight forward speeds - F16H 2200/2012: with four sets of orbital gears - F16H 2200/2015: with five sets of orbital gears - F16H 2200/2043: with five engaging means - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multiple speed transmission, comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having first, second and third members; a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets; a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset with a stationary member; a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset with the stationary member; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gearset with the first member of the third planetary gearset and the first member of the fourth planetary gearset; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the second planetary gearset and the third member of the third planetary gearset with the first member of the third planetary gearset and the first member of the fourth planetary gearset; and a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the fourth planetary gearset with the second member of the third planetary gearset; wherein, the first planetary gearset comprises an idler planetary gearset; wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the second planetary gearset. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the fourth planetary gearset. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a .first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gearset with the first member of the second planetary gearset. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a second interconnecting member directly connected to the second member of the first planetary gearset. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gearset with the third member of the fourth planetary gearset. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gearset with the third member of the third planetary gearset. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fifth interconnecting member directly connected to the second member of the third planetary gearset. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multiple speed transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a sixth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the third planetary gearset with the first member of the fourth planetary gearset. ### Claim 10 A multiple speed transmission, comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member; a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets; a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the sun gear of the second planetary gearset with a stationary member; a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gearset with the stationary member; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gearset with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring of the second planetary gearset and the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; and a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gearset and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gearset; wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the second planetary gearset. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gearset with the sun gear of the second planetary gearset. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a second interconnecting member directly connected to the carrier member of the first planetary gearset. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gearset with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gearset with the ring gear of the third planetary gearset. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a fifth interconnecting member directly connected to the carrier member of the third planetary gearset. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The multiple speed transmission of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnecting members includes a sixth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset. ### Claim 19 A multiple speed transmission, comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member; a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets; first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the sun gear of the second planetary gearset with a stationary member; a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gearset with the stationary member; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gearset with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the second planetary gearset and the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with the sun gear of the third planetary gearset and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gearset and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gearset; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gearset with the sun gear of the second planetary gearset; a second interconnecting member directly connected to the carrier member of the first planetary gearset; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gearset with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset; a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gearset with the ring gear of the third planetary gearset; a fifth interconnecting member directly connected to the carrier member of the third planetary gearset; and a sixth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset; wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The multiple speed transmission of claim 19, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the second planetary gearset, and the output member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset.