THREE-SPEED TRANSMISSION AND CONTROLS

• US 3,747,730 A
• Filed: 11/12/1965
• Issued: 07/24/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1965
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gilbert K. Hause
• Original Assignee: Gilbert K. Hause
• Inventors: Hause, Gilbert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): McKeon, Arthur T.
• Application Number:
  US04/513,638
• Time in Patent Office: 2,811 Days
• Field of Search: 192/87.11,87.13,87.15,87.18,109 74/752,869
• US Class Current: 192/48.611
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2023 using a Ravigneaux set with 4 connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 47/085 with at least two mechanical connections between the hydraulic device and the mechanical transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/0267 Layout of hydraulic control circuits, e.g. arrangement of valves for control of actuators selecting and moving final output members, e.g. shift forks F16H61/30
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 63/3026 comprising friction clutches or brakes band brake actuating mechanisms F16H63/3003

Abstract

This invention provides an improved clutch and servo arrangement for automatic transmissions including a drum and two pistons for actuating two clutches wherein one piston is nested within another piston such that a servo chamber is provided between the two pistons and two additional servo chambers are provided between the drum and one of the pistons. The arrangements of clutches and gearing provides for three forward drive ratios by admitting pressure successively to the three servo chambers without the need to release pressure from any chamber during upshift ratio change. Means effective in two drive ratios is provided for decreasing the pressure in one servo chamber in response to increase in vehicle speed, and this means is controlled upon upshift to a third drive ratio to deliver full line pressure to the servo chamber.

Claims

1. A fluid pressure operated friction gripping arrangement comprising two friction units disposed within a drum and arranged on the same side of a drum support, actuating pistons for said friction units, respectively, said pistons being disposed on the same side of said drum as said friction units and to one side of said friction units, the actuating piston for one friction unit serving simultaneously as a cylinder for the other piston which operates the second friction gripping unit and the two pistons being operative in one and the same direction for engaging their respective friction gripping units.

2. A friction gripping arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the drum support is mounted on and rotatable with a hub and is formed with a peripheral annular flange, said hub and said flange forming an annular cylinder for one piston, which piston is formed with a peripheral annular flange which, together with said hub part forms an annular cylinder for the other piston.

3. A friction gripping arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the end face of the secondly named piston for said second friction gripping unit is formed with a part which serves as a pressure plate for said second friction gripping unit.

4. A friction gripping arrangement as set forth in claim 2 wherein said piston for actuating said second friction gripping unit is operative against the resistance of a restoring spring positioned within said hub part.

5. A friction gripping arrangement according to claim 1 wherein one friction gripping unit is disposed in axial spaced relationship and radially outwardly from the other friction gripping unit.

6. A fluid pressure operated friction gripping arrangement comprising two friction gripping units positioned within a rotatable drum, said friction gripping units being positioned adjacent each other, a first piston for actuating a first of said units, said piston forming with said drum a first chamber adapted to receive fluid under pressure, a second piston for actuating said second unit and disposed within said first piston, said pistons forming therebetween a second chamber adapted to receive fluid under pressure, a third chamber adapted to receive fluid pressure, a fluid pressure source, means including valve means for directing pressure from said source to said chambers, said valve means being effective in one position to direct pressure to said first chamber to apply said first friction gripping unit, said valve means being movable to a second position to direct fluid pressure to said first and second chambers to engage said second friction gripping unit and release said first friction gripping unit, said valve means being movable to a third position to direct pressure to all three of said chambers to simultaneously engage both of said friction gripping units.

7. A fluid pressure operated friction gripping arrangement as set forth in claim 6 wherein said drum and said first piston cooperate to form said third chamber between said drum and first piston.

8. A fluid pressure operated friction gripping structure comprising a rotatable drum, first and second friction gripping discs, a first piston positioned within said drum and forming with said drum a first chamber adapted to receive fluid pressure, a second piston axially movable relative to said first piston for actuating said second discs and forming wiTh said first piston a second chamber, a third chamber between said first piston and said drum, a fluid pressure source, and means including valve means for selectively directing pressure from said source to said chambers, said valve means being movable from a first position wherein fluid is directed to said first chamber to a position wherein fluid is directed to said first and second chambers, said valve means also being movable to a position to direct fluid from said source to all three of said chambers.

9. In a transmission, first and second friction gripping elements, a first fluid pressure responsive member for actuating said first element, a second fluid pressure responsive member for actuating said second element, means forming with said first element a first chamber adapted to receive fluid pressure, said first member being movable by pressure in said first chamber to engage said first element, a second chamber disposed between said first and second members, said second member being movable in response to fluid pressure in said second chamber to engage said second element and said first member being movable to release said first element upon admission of pressure to said second chamber and with fluid pressure maintained in said first chamber, a third chamber adapted to receive fluid pressure, said first member being movable in response to pressure in said first and third chambers to engage said first element with fluid pressure in said second chamber, a fluid pressure source, and means including valve means for directing fluid pressure from said source to said chambers.

10. A transmission as set forth in claim 9 a fluid pressure valve means is effective in a first position to direct pressure from said source to said first chamber to establish a first drive ratio, said valve means being movable to direct fluid pressure from said source to said first and second chambers to establish a second drive ratio, said valve means being movable to direct pressure from said source to said first, second and third chambers to establish a third drive ratio.

11. A transmission according to claim 9 whrein said first and second fluid pressure repsonsive members comprise pistons and wherein one of said pistons is disposed within the other piston, said first piston being movable in response to the admission of pressure to said first and second chambers to provide accumulator action to the engagement of said second friction gripping element.

12. In a transmission having planetary gearing adapted to transmit torque from a drive shaft to a driven shaft, means for controlling said transmission to establish first, second and third forward drive ratios including a rotatable clutch drum and a pair of clutches, an engageable and releasable brake for braking said drum against rotation, a brake servo having brake apply and brake release chambers adapted to receive fluid, a first clutch for clutching one element of said gearing to said drum, a first clutch servo having first and second chambers adapted to receive fluid for engaging said first clutch, a second clutch for clutching a second element of said gearing to said drum, a second clutch servo adapted to receive fluid to engage said second clutch and release said first clutch, a fluid pressure source, valve means for controlling the transmission including a pressure metering valve for controlling the pressure in said first chamber of said first clutch servo, a first shift valve for controlling the admission of pressure to said second clutch servo chamber, and a second shift valve for controlling the admission of pressure to said second chamber of said first clutch servo, a speed responsive governor driven by said driven shaft connected to said source and to said pressure metering valve and said shift valves for controlling the action of said valves, means for directing pressure from said source to said brake servo apply chamber for engaging said brake, said pressure metering valve being effective to deliver variable pressure to said first clutch servo chamber in first, second and third gear drive, said brake and said first clutch being engaged to establish first gear drive, said first shift valve being movable in response to governor pressure to direct pressure to said second clutch servo to engage said second clutch and release said first clutch to establish second gear drive, said pressure metering valve being effective in first and second gear drive to decrease the pressure delivered to said first servo chamber of said first clutch servo in response to increase in vehicle speed, said second shift valve being movable in response to governor pressure to deliver pressure to said second clutch chamber of said first clutch servo and to direct pressure to said brake release chamber of said brake servo to release said brake, said second shift valve being also effective to deliver pressure to said pressure metering valve to position said pressure metering valve to deliver full pressure from said source to said first chamber of said first clutch servo to reengage said first clutch to complete the establishment of direct drive in conjunction with the engagement of said second clutch.

13. In a fluid pressure operated torque-transmitting friction device, a first and a second torque-transmitting friction means engageable to transmit torque, cylinder means having an end wall, first piston means in said cylinder means forming a first chamber with said end wall, said first piston means being operatively connected to said first friction means and movable on the supply of fluid to said first chamber to engage said first friction means separate from said first piston means, second piston means in said cylinder means forming between said first and second piston means a second chamber, said second piston means being operatively connected to said second friction means and movable on the supply of fluid to said second chamber to engage said second friction means, said first piston means being movable on the supply of fluid to said first and second chambers to disengage said first piston means, said first piston means forming with said cylinder means a third chamber, said first piston means being movable upon the supply of fluid to all three of said chambers to engage said first friction means, a fluid pressure source, and valve means for directing pressure from said source to said chambers.

14. The invention defined in claim 13 and retraction spring means grounded with said cylinder means and acting on said first piston means to retract said first piston means upon admission of pressure simultaneously to said first and second chambers and subsequent to partial engagement of said second friction device.

15. The invention defined in claim 13 and said first piston means having an apply surface responsive to fluid pressure in said first chamber and a release surface responsive to fluid pressure in said second chamber, said second piston means having an apply surface responsive to fluid pressure in said second chamber and said surfaces being substantially equal in area, said first pistion means being movable upon admission of pressure simultaneously to both said first and second chambers to release said first friction device only after partial engagement of said second friction device.

16. The invention defined in claim 13 and retraction spring means grounded with said cylinder means and acting on said first piston means to retract said first piston means, said first piston means having an apply surface in said first chamber and a release surface in said second chamber, said second piston means having an apply surface in said second chamber, said release spring means and said surfaces on said piston means providing, when said first chamber is filled and on the supply of fluid to said second chamber, for the full disengagement to terminate torque transmittal of said first friction means during a low range of pressure increase in said second chamber and the full engagement of second friction device from substAntially no torque transmittal to full torque transmittal during a higher range of pressure increase in said second chamber.

17. The invention defined in claim 16, the lower and higher range of pressure increase being continuous driving engagement of said second friction device and release of said first friction device.

18. The invention defined in claim 13 and said first piston means providing with said cylinder a third chamber and said first and second piston means being movable on the supply of fluid to said first, second and third chambers toward said first and second friction means, respectively, to engage said first and second friction means.

19. The invention defined in claim 13 and a transmission having drive means, driven means and drive means providing a first and a second ratio drive between said drive and driven means established by engagement respectively of said first and second friction means and means to control the pressure in said first chamber in accordance with driven means speed.

20. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure on the same side of a disk-like part supporting the drum-shaped structure, comprising:

first actuating piston means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means separate from said first actuating piston means for the other of said clutches, said first and second actuating piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches and on the same side relative to the respective clutch and being actuatable independently of one another, and the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, said first friction clutch comprising disk means secured to said drum-shaped structure, said second friction clutch means including disk means secured to said second actuating piston means, said first and second friction clutches as well as said first and second actuating piston means being arranged concentrically about one another.

21. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which clutches are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure on the same side of a disk-lke part supporting the drum-shaped structure and include friction disks and abutment means, comprising:

first actuating piston means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means for the other of said friction clutches, said first and second actuating piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches, the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, said disk-like part being provided inwardly thereof with a hub portion and along the outer circumference thereof with an annular portion and forming therewith a pressure cylinder for the first actuating piston means, said first and second actuating piston means being slidably supported on said hub portion, and said first actuating piston means being provided outwardly on the side thereof opposite said disk-like part with an annular extension and the second actuating piston means being inserted between said annular extension and said hub portion.

22. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which clutches are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure on the same side of a disk-like part supporting the drum-shaped structure and include friction disks and abutment means, comprising:

first actuating piston means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means for the other of said friction clutches, said first and second actuatiNg piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches, the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, said disk-like part being provided inwardly thereof with a hub portion and along the outer circumference thereof with an annular portion and forming therewith a pressure cylinder for the first actuating piston means and said first actuating piston means being provided outwardly on the side thereof opposite said disk-like part with an annular extension and the second actuating piston means being inserted between said annular extension and said hub portion, and said first and second actuating piston means being slidably supported on said hub portion, said second actuating piston means directly forming at the end face opposite said disk-like part the pressure plate means for the second clutch means.

23. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which clutches are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure on the same side of a disk-like part supporting the drum-shaped structure and include friction disks and abutment means, comprising:

first actuating piston means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means for the other of said friction clutches, said first and second actuating piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches, the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, said disk-like part being provided inwardly thereof with a hub portion and along the outer circumference thereof with an annular portion and forming therewith a pressure cylinder for the first actuating piston means and said first actuating piston means being provided outwardly on the side thereof opposite said disk-like part with an annular extension and the second actuating piston means being inserted between said annular extension and said hub portion and said first and second actuating piston means being slidably supported on said hub portion, said second actuating piston means directly forming at the end face opposite said disk-like part the pressure plate means for the second clutch means, return spring means for said second actuating piston means located in proximity to the inner region thereof for supporting said hub portion against stationary abutment means, and said return spring means being supported between said second actuating piston means and said hub portion.

24. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which clutches are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure on the same side of a disk-like part supporting the drum-shaped structure and include friction disks and abutment means, comprising:

first actuating pistion means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means for the other of said friction clutches, said first and second actuating piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches, the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, said disk-like part being provided inwardly thereof with a hub portion and along the outer circumference thereof with an annular portion and forming therewith a pressure cylinder for the first actuating piston means, and said first actuating piston means being provided outwardly on the side thereof opposite said disk-like part with an annular extension and the second actuating piston means being inserted between said annular extension and said hub portion, and both said first and second actuating piston means being slidably supported on said hub portion, return spring means for said second actuating piston means located in proximity to the inner region thereof for supporting said hub portion against stationary abutment means, and said return spring means being supported between said second actuating piston means and said hub portion.

25. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which clutches are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure and the same side of a disk-like part supporting its drum-shaped structure and include friction disks and abutment means, comprising:

first actuating piston means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means for the other of said friction clutches, said first and second actuating piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches, the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, first pressure plate means in said one clutch and pressure means operatively connecting said first actuating piston means with said first pressure plate means, said pressure means being supported in an axially movable manner within said drum-shaped part and relative to the abutment means and friction disks of the second clutch, said disk-like part being provided inwardly thereof with a hub portion and along the outer circumference thereof with an annular portion and forming therewith a pressure cylinder for the first actuating piston means, and said first actuating piston means being provided outwardly on the side thereof opposite said disk-like part with an annular extension and the second actuating piston means being inserted between said annular extension and said hub portion.

26. An actuating mechanism for two friction clutches, especially for shifting clutches in automatically shifted motor vehicle change-speed transmissions, which are arranged within a rotating drum-like structure on the same side of a disk-like part supporting the drum-shaped structure, comprising:

first actuating piston means for one of said clutches, second actuating piston means separate from said first actuating piston means for the other of said clutches, said first and second actuating piston means being disposed on the same side of said disk-like part as the respective clutches and on the same side relative to the respective clutch and being actuatable independently of one another, and the first actuating piston means serving simultaneously as pressure cylinder means for receiving the second actuating piston means, said first friction clutch comprising disk means secured to said drum-shaped structure, said second friction clutch means including disk means supported on parts of the second friction clutch to be rotatively connected with each other, said first and second friction clutches as well as said first and second actuating piston means being arranged concentrically about one another.

27. In a fluid pressure operated torque-transmitting friction device, a first and a second torque-transmitting friction means engageable to transmit torque, cylinder means having an end wall, first piston means in said cylinder means forming a first chamber with said end wall, said first piston means being operatively connected to said first friction means and movable on the supply of fluid to said first chamber to engage said first friction means, second piston means separate from said first piston means in said cylinder means forming between said first and second piston means a second chamber, said second piston means being operatively connected to said second friction means and movable on the supply of fluid to said second chamber to engage said second friction means, said first piston means being movable on the supply of fluid to said first and second chambers to disengage said first piston means, a fluid pressure source, and means for directing fluid pressure from said sourcE to said chambers.