Multi-speed planetary transmission

• US 10,473,190 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 11/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allison Transmission Incorporated (Allison Transmission Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Allison Transmission Incorporated (Allison Transmission Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schoolcraft, Brian, Earhart, David E., Tryon, Eric S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huan
• Application Number:
  US15/483,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20180087624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/0065 the gear ratios comprising nine forward speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/0069 the gear ratios comprising ten forward speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2012 with four sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2046 with six engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/66 composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another

Abstract

A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have four planetary gearsets and six selective couplers. The six selective couplers may include four clutches and two brakes or three clutches and three brakes.

Claims

1. A transmission comprising:

at least one stationary member;

an input member rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member;

a plurality of planetary gearsets operatively coupled to the input member, each of the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first gearset component, a second gearset component, and a third gearset component, the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset, the input member is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset;

an output member operatively coupled to the input member through the plurality of planetary gearsets and rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member, the output member is fixedly coupled to the fourth planetary gearset;

a first interconnector fixedly couples the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset to one of the second planetary gearset and the third planetary gearset;

a second interconnector fixedly couples the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset to at least one of the second planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset; and

a plurality of selective couplers, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include a first number of clutches and a second number of brakes, wherein the first number is greater than the second number, wherein the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset is a sun gear.

2. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the input member is further fixedly coupled to the second planetary gearset.

3. The transmission of claim 2, wherein the input member is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset.

4. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to the third gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

5. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset.

6. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to at least two of the second planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset.

7. The transmission of claim 6, wherein the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset and the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset.

8. The transmission of claim 6, wherein the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset and the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset.

9. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to the third gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

10. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

11. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the output member is fixedly coupled to the third gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset.

12. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the output member is fixedly coupled to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset.

13. The transmission of claim 12, wherein the output member is further fixedly coupled to the third planetary gearset.

14. The transmission of claim 13, wherein the output member is further fixedly coupled to the third gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

15. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the at least one stationary member includes a housing, the housing having a first end and a second end, wherein

the input member is accessible proximate the first end of the housing;

the output member is accessible proximate the second end of the housing;

the first planetary gearset is positioned between the first end of the housing and the second planetary gearset;

the second planetary gearset is positioned between the first planetary gearset and the third planetary gearset;

the third planetary gearset is positioned between the second planetary gearset and the fourth planetary gearset; and

the fourth planetary gearset is positioned between the third planetary gearset and the second end of the housing.

16. The transmission of claim 15, wherein each of the first planetary gearset, the second planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset is a simple planetary gearset.

17. The transmission of claim 16, wherein the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset is a first sun gear, the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset is a second sun gear, the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset is a third sun gear, the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset is a fourth sun gear, the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset is a first planet carrier, the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset is a second planet carrier, the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset is a third planet carrier, the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset is a fourth planet carrier, the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset is a first ring gear, the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset is a second ring gear, the third gearset component of the third planetary gearset is a third ring gear, and the third gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset is a fourth ring gear.

18. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include:

a first selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a second selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a third selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset and the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fourth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset, the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset, and the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fifth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset; and

a sixth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

19. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include:

a first selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a second selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a third selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fourth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset, the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset, and the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset;

a fifth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset and the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset; and

a sixth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

20. The transmission of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include:

a first selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a second selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a third selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset and the third gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset;

a fourth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset to the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fifth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset and the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset; and

a sixth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset and the third gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset.

21. A transmission comprising:

at least one stationary member including a housing, the housing having a first end and a second end;

an input member rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member wherein the input member is accessible proximate the first end of the housing;

a plurality of planetary gearsets operatively coupled to the input member, each of the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first gearset component which is a sun gear, a second gearset component which is a planet carrier, and a third gearset component which is a ring gear, the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset, each of the plurality of planetary gearsets being a simple planetary gearset, wherein the input member is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset, the first planetary gearset is positioned between the first end of the housing and the second planetary gearset, the second planetary gearset is positioned between the first planetary gearset and the third planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset is positioned between the second planetary gearset and the fourth planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset is positioned between the third planetary gearset and the second end of the housing;

an output member operatively coupled to the input member through the plurality of planetary gearsets, rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member, and accessible relative the second end of the housing, the output member is fixedly coupled to the fourth planetary gearset;

a first interconnector fixedly couples the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset to one of the second planetary gearset and the third planetary gearset;

a second interconnector fixedly couples the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset to at least one of the second planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset; and

a plurality of selective couplers, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include a first number of clutches and a second number of brakes, wherein the first number is at least equal to the second number.

22. A transmission comprising:

at least one stationary member;

an input member rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member;

a plurality of planetary gearsets operatively coupled to the input member, each of the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first gearset component, a second gearset component, and a third gearset component, the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset, the input member is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset;

an output member operatively coupled to the input member through the plurality of planetary gearsets and rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member, the output member is fixedly coupled to the fourth planetary gearset;

a first interconnector fixedly couples the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset to one of the second planetary gearset and the third planetary gearset;

a second interconnector fixedly couples the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset to at least one of the second planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset; and

a plurality of selective couplers, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include a first number of clutches and a second number of brakes, wherein the first number is at least equal to the second number and the plurality of selective couplers include;

a first selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a second selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a third selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset and the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fourth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset, the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset, and the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fifth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset; and

a sixth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset.

23. A transmission comprising:

at least one stationary member;

an input member rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member;

a plurality of planetary gearsets operatively coupled to the input member, each of the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first gearset component, a second gearset component, and a third gearset component, the plurality of planetary gearsets including a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset, the input member is fixedly coupled to the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset and to the second planetary gearset;

an output member operatively coupled to the input member through the plurality of planetary gearsets and rotatable relative to the at least one stationary member, the output member is fixedly coupled only to the fourth planetary gearset;

a first interconnector fixedly couples the second gearset component of the first planetary gearset to one of the second planetary gearset and the third planetary gearset;

a second interconnector fixedly couples the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset to at least one of the second planetary gearset, the third planetary gearset, and the fourth planetary gearset; and

a plurality of selective couplers, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include a first number of clutches and a second number of brakes, wherein the first number is at least equal to the second number including;

a first selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first planetary gearset to the fourth planetary gearset.

24. The transmission of claim 23, wherein the plurality of selective couplers include:

a second selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

a third selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member;

the first selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the first gearset component of the first planetary gearset and the first gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fourth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the third planetary gearset to the third gearset component of the first planetary gearset, the third gearset component of the second planetary gearset, and the first gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset;

a fifth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the second planetary gearset to the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset; and

a sixth selective coupler which, when engaged, fixedly couples the second gearset component of the fourth planetary gearset to the at least one stationary member.