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US 8,133,148 B2Granted
Multi-speed transmission having four planetary gear sets
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsScott H. Wittkopp, James M. Hart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
Claims33
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 third member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the first member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the third member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the first, second, and third members of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the first planetary gear set and the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;
- and
- five torque transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, third members and a stationary member, 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.
6 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 third member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the first member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the third member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the first, second, and third members of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to of the second member of the first planetary gear set and the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- and
- a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, 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.
10 more elements
A transmission comprising:
- an input member;
- an output member;
- first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member, a carrier member, and a ring gear member, wherein the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the ring gear member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the sun gear member, carrier member, and ring gear member of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear member of the second planetary gear set and the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set and the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- and
- a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, 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.
10 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 third member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the first member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the third member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the first, second, and third members of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the first planetary gear set and the first member of the third planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;
- and
- five torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, third members and a stationary member, 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.
6 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 third member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the first member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the third member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the first, second, and third members of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the first planetary gear set and the first member of the third planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- and
- a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, 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.
10 more elements
A transmission comprising:
- an input member;
- an output member;
- first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member, a carrier member, and a ring gear member, wherein the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the ring gear member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the sun gear member, carrier member, and ring gear member of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear member of the second planetary gear set and the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set and the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- and
- a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, 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.
10 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 third member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the first member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the third member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the first, second, and third members of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the first planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;
- and
- five torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first, second, and third members with another of the first, second, third members and a stationary member, 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.
6 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 third member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the first member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the third member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the first, second, and third members of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the first planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the output member and the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- and
- a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, 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.
10 more elements
A transmission comprising:
- an input member;
- an output member;
- first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear member, a carrier member, and a ring gear member, wherein the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set is formed on an outer surface of the ring gear member of the second planetary gear set, wherein the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set includes an inner surface that defines an internal cavity, wherein the sun gear member, carrier member, and ring gear member of the second planetary gear set are disposed within the internal cavity, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected to the carrier member of the first planetary gear set;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set;
- a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the output member and the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;
- a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set and the ring gear member of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;
- a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set and the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;
- and
- a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, 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.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.