US 8,007,400 B2Granted

Multi-speed transmission

AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC

InventorsAndrew W. Phillips, Scott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart, Clinton E. Carey

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. A first interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary member, a second interconnecting member continuously interconnects the first member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member, a third interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set, and a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the third planetary gear set with a third member of the fourth planetary gear set. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A transmission comprising:

an input member;
an output member;
first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members;
a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary member;
a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member;
a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set;
a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set with a third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
and
five torque-transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets with at least one other of the first, second, and third members of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets;
and
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.

8 more elements

A transmission comprising:

an input member;
an output member;
first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the second planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the first planetary gear set;
a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with a transmission housing;
a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the second planetary gear set with the transmission housing;
a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set;
a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set with a third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;
a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set;
a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set;
and
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.

11 more elements

A transmission comprising:

an input member;
an output member;
first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member, and a ring gear, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set, and the output member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set;
a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the stationary member;
a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member;
a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;
a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;
a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;
a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set;
a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;
and
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.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/102,376Filed 14 Apr 2008 · us provisional application
Priority: 10 May 2007
Published: US 2008/0280724 A113 Nov 2008
Granted: 30 Aug 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

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 2200/006
Characterised by the number of forward speeds: the gear ratios comprising eight forward speeds
F16H 2200/2012
Characterised by the number of sets of orbital gears: with four sets of orbital gears
F16H 2200/2043
Characterised by the engaging friction means not of the freewheel type, e.g. friction clutches or brakes: with five engaging means