Back to results
US 8,821,336 B2Granted
Multi-speed transmission and backing plate
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDaryl A. Wilton, James M. Hart, Edward W. Mellet, James B. Borgerson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three 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 actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least ten forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. At least one of the torque transmitting mechanisms includes a backing plate having an annular outlet for distributing cooling fluid.
Claims11
A clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a plurality of interleaved clutch plates selectively engageable to interconnect a first member with a second member, wherein at least one first clutch plate of the plurality of interleaved clutch plates is attached to the first member and at least one second clutch plate of the plurality of interleaved clutch plates is attached to the second member;
- and
- a backing plate disposed adjacent to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates, the plurality of interleaved clutch plates being configured to be compressed against the backing plate when the clutch assembly is engaged, the backing plate comprising a first piece and a second piece, the first and second pieces cooperating to form an annular passageway therebetween;
- wherein the first piece of the backing plate has an outer side, the first piece forming a plurality of inlet openings to the annular passageway through the outer side of the first piece, the plurality of inlet openings are formed in the outer side of the first piece along a circumference of the first piece, the first and second pieces each have an annular shape and cooperate to form an annular outlet of the annular passageway, the backing plate is configured to supply fluid to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates through the annular outlet, and the first and second pieces each have a plurality of spline teeth and spline grooves that mate with each other to connect the first and second pieces together.
1 more element
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 first member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the third 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 fourth planetary gear set;
- a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;
- a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;
- and
- six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members with at least one other of the first, second, third members and a stationary member,
- wherein the six torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, a first torque transmitting mechanism of the six torque transmitting mechanisms comprises a backing plate having a first piece and a second piece, the first and second pieces cooperating to form an annular passageway therebetween, the first torque transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member, the first piece of the backing plate has an outer side, the first piece forming a plurality of inlet openings to the annular passageway through the outer side of the first piece along a circumference of the first piece, the first and second pieces each have an annular shape, and wherein the first and second pieces cooperate to form an annular outlet of the annular passageway, the backing plate being configured to supply fluid to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates through the annular outlet, and the first and second pieces each have a plurality of spline teeth and spline grooves that mate with each other to connect the first and second pieces together.
8 more elements
A transmission comprising:
- an input member;
- an output member;
- a first planetary gear set having a first sun gear member, a first planetary gear carrier member, and a first ring gear member;
- a second planetary gear set having a second sun gear member, a second planetary gear carrier member, and a second ring gear member;
- a third planetary gear set having a third sun gear member, a third planetary gear carrier member, and a third ring gear member;
- a fourth planetary gear set having a fourth sun gear member, a fourth planetary gear carrier member, and a fourth ring gear member;
- a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first sun gear member with the fourth sun gear member;
- a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first planetary gear carrier member with the third ring gear member and the output member;
- a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first ring gear member with the second planetary gear carrier member;
- a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second sun gear member with the fourth planetary gear carrier member and the input member;
- a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second ring gear member with the third planetary gear carrier member;
- and
- six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear members, the planetary gear carrier members, and the ring gear members with at least one other of the sun gear members, the planetary gear carrier members, the ring gear members and a stationary member,
- wherein the six torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member;
- wherein a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third planetary gear carrier member and the second ring gear member with the stationary member;
- wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third sun gear member with the input member, the second sun gear member, and the fourth planetary gear carrier member;
- wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second ring gear member and the third planetary gear carrier member with the input member, the second sun gear member, and the fourth planetary gear carrier member;
- wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third sun gear member with the stationary member;
- wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first sun gear member and the fourth sun gear member with the stationary member;
- wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the fourth ring gear member with the stationary member;
- and
- wherein the first torque transmitting mechanism comprises:
- a plurality of interleaved clutch plates selectively engageable to interconnect the stationary member with a sixth interconnecting member that is continuously connected for common rotation with the third planetary gear carrier member and the second ring gear member, wherein a first set of clutch plates of the plurality of interleaved clutch plates is attached to the sixth interconnecting member and a second set of clutch plates of the plurality of interleaved clutch plates is attached to the stationary member;
- and
- a backing plate disposed adjacent to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates, the plurality of interleaved clutch plates being configured to be compressed against the backing plate when the first torque transmitting mechanism is engaged, the backing plate comprising an annular first piece and an annular second piece, the first and second pieces cooperating to form an annular passageway therebetween and an annular outlet of the annular passageway, the first and second pieces each have a plurality of spline teeth and spline grooves that mate with each other to connect the first and second pieces together, the backing plate being configured to supply fluid to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates through the annular outlet, the first piece having an outer side and forming a plurality of inlet openings to the annular passageway through the outer side and along the circumference of the first piece.
22 more elements
A clutch assembly for use in an automatic transmission, the clutch assembly comprising:
- a plurality of interleaved clutch plates selectively engageable to interconnect a first member with a second member, wherein at least one first clutch plate of the plurality of interleaved clutch plates is attached to the first member and at least one second clutch plate of the plurality of interleaved clutch plates is attached to the second member;
- and
- a backing plate disposed adjacent to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates, the plurality of interleaved clutch plates being configured to be compressed against the backing plate when the clutch assembly is engaged, the backing plate comprising an annular first piece and an annular second piece, the first and second pieces cooperating to form an annular passageway therebetween, the first and second pieces each have a plurality of spline teeth and spline grooves that mate with each other to connect the first and second pieces together, the annular passageway having an annular outlet and a plurality of inlet openings disposed around an outer side of the backing plate along the circumference of the backing plate, the backing plate being configured to supply fluid to the plurality of interleaved clutch plates through the annular outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.