US 2003/0195078 A1 · FAMILY OF MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION MECHANISMS WITH THREE PLANETARY GEAR SETS AND A STATIONARY MEMBER

Abstract

The family of transmissions has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission family members include three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. Also, one planetary gear member is continuously connected with the transmission housing. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is not continuously connected to any of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with at least one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members and with the input shaft, output shaft, and transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.

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Drawings

Claims16

Dependent claims

A family of transmissions wherein each family member comprises:

an input shaft;
an output shaft;
first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;
said output shaft being continuously interconnected with at least one member of said planetary gear sets;
a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set and said first member of said second planetary gear set;
a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set and said second member of said second planetary gear set;
said third member of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with a transmission housing;
a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said input shaft with a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set;
a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said input shaft with a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set, or with said first or second interconnecting member;
a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with said input shaft or with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set;
a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first or second planetary gear set or said first or second interconnecting member with a member of said third planetary gear set;
a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set;
and
a sixth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting a member of said first, second or third planetary gear set with another member of said first, second or third planetary gear set, or with said transmission housing;
said torque-transmitting mechanisms being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft.

12 more elements

A family of transmissions having a plurality of family members wherein each family member comprises:

an input shaft;
an output shaft;
a planetary gear arrangement having first, second and third planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having first, second and third members;
said output shaft being continuously interconnected with a member of said planetary gear sets;
a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set and said first member of said second planetary gear set;
a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set and said second member of said second planetary gear set;
said third member of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with a transmission housing;
and
six torque-transmitting mechanisms for selectively interconnecting said members of said first, second or third planetary gear sets with said transmission housing, said input shaft, said output shaft or with other members of said planetary gear sets, said six torque-transmitting mechanisms being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least seven forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input shaft and said output shaft.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description19,310 words

Summary1,132 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a family of power transmissions having three planetary gear sets that are controlled by six torque-transmitting devices to provide at least seven forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.

#2. Background Art

Brief description of the drawings32 figures

#FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of a powertrain including a planetary transmission incorporating a family member of the present invention;

#FIG. 1b is a truth table and chart depicting some of the operating characteristics of the powertrain shown in FIG. 1a;

#FIG. 2a is a schematic representation of a powertrain having a planetary transmission incorporating another family member of the present invention;

Detailed description17,505 words

#Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters represent the same or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1a a powertrain 10 having a conventional engine and torque converter 12, a planetary transmission 14, and a conventional final drive mechanism 16.

#The planetary transmission 14 includes an input shaft 17 continuously connected with the engine and torque converter 12, a planetary gear arrangement 18, and an output shaft 19 continuously connected with the final drive mechanism 16. The planetary gear arrangement 18 includes three planetary gear sets 20, 30 and 40.

#The planetary gear set 20 includes a sun gear member 22, a ring gear member 24, and a planet carrier assembly 26. The planet carrier assembly 26 includes a plurality of pinion gears 27 rotatably mounted on a carrier member 29 and disposed in meshing relationship with both the sun gear member 22 and the ring gear member 24.

Facts

Application

10/123,704Filed 16 Apr 2002

Published

16 Oct 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

F16H 3/666
Composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another: with intermeshing orbital gears
F16H 3/66
Gearings having three or more central gears: composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another
F16H 2003/445
Using gears having orbital motion: without permanent connection between the input and the set of orbital gears
F16H 2200/0056
Characterised by the number of forward speeds: the gear ratios comprising seven forward speeds

Timeline

16 Apr 2002Application filedUS 10/123,704
14 Jun 2002Assigned to General Motors Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
16 Oct 2003Published
14 Jan 2009Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
4 Feb 2009Assigned to United States Department of the Treasurysecurity agreement
16 Apr 2009Assigned to Citicorp USA, Inc. AS Agent for Bank Priority Secured Parties, Citicorp USA, Inc. AS Agent for Hedge Priority Secured Partiessecurity agreement
20 Aug 2009Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
21 Aug 2009Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
27 Aug 2009Assigned to United States Department of the Treasurysecurity agreement
28 Aug 2009Assigned to Uaw Retiree Medical Benefits Trustsecurity agreement
4 Nov 2010Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
4 Nov 2010Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.release of security interest
8 Nov 2010Assigned to Wilmington Trust Companysecurity agreement
10 Feb 2011Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLCchange of name
7 Nov 2014Assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLCrelease of security interest

Family of multi-speed transmission mechanisms with three planetary gear sets and a stationary member

Life of this patent

Family of multi-speed transmission mechanisms with three planetary gear sets and a stationary member

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims16

Description19,310 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description19,310 words