MULTI-SPEED TRANSMISSION

• US 20080182706A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Hart, James M., Carey, Clinton E., Phillips, Andrew W., Wittkopp, Scott H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,695,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 475/276
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/006 the gear ratios comprising eight forward speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2012 with four sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2043 with five engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2097 comprising an orbital gear set member permanently connected to the housing, e.g. a sun wheel permanently connected to the housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/66 composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another

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 may include clutches and brakes.

Claims

8-1. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth, torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches and the fifth torque transmitting mechanism is a brake.

10. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary element;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the second planetary gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the first member of the third planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set;

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second 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 with the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first 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 first member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set; and

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary element; and

wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

11. The transmission of claim 10 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches and the fifth torque transmitting mechanism is a brake.

12. The transmission of claim 10 wherein the first members are sun gears, the second members are carrier members, and the third members are ring gears.

13. 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, and wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with a stationary element;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gear set with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the sun gear of the third planetary gear set with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set;

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the input member and the carrier member with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the sun gear of the second planetary gear set with the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set; and

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary element; and

wherein the torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.