US 4,289,045 A · Housings of gearboxes for power units

Abstract

A transmission unit for coupling the engine of a motor vehicle to either a manual-shift gearbox or an automatic gearbox includes a differential having a crown gear, pinions for coupling the crown gear to the output shaft of the gearbox and a housing for enclosing the differential, the pinions, and either a mechanical clutch or a torque converter. The housing has a first coupling face portion for attaching the transmission unit to an engine, a second coupling face portion for attaching the transmission unit to a manual-shift gearbox or to an automatic gearbox, and bearings supported to engage the pinion and the input and output shafts of the engine, the gearbox and the differential, with the gearbox of either shafts in substantially the same position relative to the housing. The housing can be a one-piece construction or a two-piece construction. A bearing support housing can be utilized with the main housing when coupling the transmission unit to an automatic gearbox. The pinions can include a two-part pinion with different sets of teeth. Bearing members can mount the pinions on shafts of the housing and might include tapered roller bearings, needle bearings, ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, or a combination of these.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A housing for a transmission which includes a gearbox, coupling means and a differential with a crown gear and shaft,

said housing including a plurality of bearing support means, a first said bearing support means located and configured to receive interchangeably the following components:
I. a bearing member for an input shaft of an automatic gearbox, a reaction support means of a hydrokinetic torque converter (FIG. 2) and a sealing member therefor, and
II. a bearing member for a primary shaft of a manual-shift gearbox together with a sealing member therefor and a support means for a clutch release bearing assembly;
a second said bearing support means being located and configured to support interchangeably the following components:
III. one end of an intermediate pinion means coupling said automatic gearbox with said crown gear of the differential, and
IV. an end pinion of a secondary shaft of said manual-shift gearbox coupling said gearbox with said crown gear of the differential;
third and fourth said bearing support means, each being located and configured to receive bearings for supporting the crown gear for rotation, whereby said housing may be used for a manual shift gearbox together with a mechanical clutch as well as for an automatic gearbox with a hydrokinetic torque converter.

4 more elements

A transmission unit for coupling an engine to wheels of a vehicle through an automatic gearbox which has an input shaft and an output shaft, said transmission comprising a differential having a shaft and a crown gear, pinion means including an intermediate pinion with two different meshing portions for coupling the crown gear to an output shaft of said gearbox, a hydrokinetic torque converter which has a reaction support means, a main housing for enclosing said differential and torque converter, said housing being capable of supporting a manual-shift gearbox which has a primary shaft and a secondary shaft provided with an end pinion, a clutch release bearing assembly and a support therefor;

said housing having a front face connectible to said engine of the vehicle, and main housing comprising:
a first bearing support means receiving a bearing member for the input shaft of said automatic gearbox and the reaction support means of said torque converter, said first bearing support means being located and configured to receive alternatively a bearing member for a primary shaft of a manual-shaft gearbox together with a sealing member therefor and a support means for a clutch release bearing assembly;
a second bearing support means receiving a bearing member supporting one end of said intermediate pinion, said second bearing support means being located and configured to receive alternatively one end pinion of a secondary shaft of a manual-shift gearbox;
third and fourth bearing support means for supporting the crown gear for rotation;
a bearing support housing attached to a rear face of the main housing and comprising:
a first bearing support means receiving a bearing member for the input shaft of said automatic gearbox;
a second bearing support means receiving a bearing member for another end of said intermediate pinion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Housings of gearboxes for power units

Life of this patent

Housings of gearboxes for power units

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30