Multi-speed transmission

• US 7,980,988 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2008
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hart, James M., Carey, Clinton E., Phillips, Andrew W., Wittkopp, Scott H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; David D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le; Huan
• Application Number:
  US12/324,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20090192012A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 475/269, 475/275, 475/277, 475/278, 475/330
• US Class Current: 475/284
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/0065 the gear ratios comprising nine 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 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 include clutches and brakes.

Claims

1. 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 output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the third planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth 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 another of the first, second, third members and a stationary element, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, and

wherein a plane is disposed perpendicular to an input member axis and between an end of the input member and the planetary gear sets, and the fourth planetary gear set is adjacent the plane and the first planetary gear set is remote from the plane, the second planetary gear set is adjacent the fourth planetary gear set and the third planetary gear set is disposed between the second planetary gear set and first planetary gear set.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member and output member are disposed parallel to each other and both intersect the plane.

3. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the third member of the first, second and fourth planetary gear sets and the first member of the third planetary gear set are sun gears, the second members of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are carrier members, and the first members of the first, second and fourth planetary gear sets and the third member of the third planetary gear set are ring gears.

4. The transmission of claim 1 wherein two of the torque transmitting mechanisms are brakes each selectively connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members to the stationary element and four of the torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches each selectively connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members to another of the first, second, third, input and output members.

5. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set.

6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member with the second member of the second planetary gear set.

7. The transmission of claim 6 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member with the first member of the second planetary gear set.

8. The transmission of claim 7 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

9. The transmission of claim 8 wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary element.

10. The transmission of claim 9 wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary element.

11. 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 output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the third planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth 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 another of the first, second, third members and a stationary element, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, and

wherein a plane is disposed perpendicular to an input member axis and between an end of the input member and the planetary gear sets, and the second planetary gear set is adjacent the plane and the fourth planetary gear set is remote from the plane, the third planetary gear set is adjacent the fourth planetary gear set and the first planetary gear set is disposed between the second planetary gear set and third planetary gear set.

12. The transmission of claim 11 wherein the input member and output member are axially aligned and only the input member intersects the plane.

13. The transmission of claim 11 wherein the third member of the first, second and fourth planetary gear sets and the first member of the third planetary gear set are sun gears, the second members of the first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are carrier members, and the first members of the first, second and fourth planetary gear sets and the third member of the third planetary gear set are ring gears.

14. The transmission of claim 11 wherein two of the torque transmitting mechanisms are brakes each selectively connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members to the stationary element and four of the torque transmitting mechanisms are clutches each selectively connecting at least one of the first, second, and third members to another of the first, second, third, input and output members.

15. The transmission of claim 11 wherein a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set.

16. The transmission of claim 15 wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member with the second member of the second planetary gear set.

17. The transmission of claim 16 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the input member with the first member of the second planetary gear set.

18. The transmission of claim 17 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

19. The transmission of claim 18 wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary element.

20. The transmission of claim 19 wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary element.

21. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having sun gears, carrier members and ring gears, wherein the output member is continuously interconnected to 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 the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a sixth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with the stationary element,

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, and

wherein a plane is disposed perpendicular to an input member axis and between an end of the input member and the planetary gear sets, and the fourth planetary gear set is adjacent the plane and the first planetary gear set is remote from the plane, the second planetary gear set is adjacent the fourth planetary gear set and the third planetary gear set is disposed between the second planetary gear set and first planetary gear set, and

wherein the input member and output member are disposed parallel to each other and both intersect the plane.

22. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having sun gears, carrier members and ring gears, wherein the output member is continuously interconnected to 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 the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a sixth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with the stationary element,

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, and

wherein a plane is disposed perpendicular to an input member axis and between an end of the input member and the planetary gear sets, and the second planetary gear set is adjacent to the plane and the fourth planetary gear set is remote from the plane, the third planetary gear set is adjacent the fourth planetary gear set and the first planetary gear set is disposed between the second planetary gear set and third planetary gear set, and

wherein the input member and output member are axially aligned and only the input member intersects the plane.