Multi-speed transmission

• US 8,088,031 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• 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: Phillips, Andrew W., Wittkopp, Scott H., Hart, James M., Carey, Clinton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, David D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bishop, Erin D
• Application Number:
  US12/116,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20080305912A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• Field of Search: 475/284
• US Class Current: 475/275
• 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 3/666 with compound planetary gear units, e.g. two intermeshing orbital gears F16H3/663 takes precedence

Abstract

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members, five interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the five interconnecting members continuously interconnects at least one of the first, second, and third members of the four planetary gear sets with at least one other of a stationary member, the first, second, and third members of the four planetary gear sets. The torque transmitting devices may 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 a sun gear, a carrier member and a ring gear;

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

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

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

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

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

five torque transmitting devices each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gears, carrier members, and ring gears of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets with at least one other of the sun gears, carrier members, ring gears of the first, second, third, fourth gear sets, and the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting devices 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.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with at least one of the ring gear of the second planetary gear set, the ring gear of the third planetary gear set and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set.

3. The transmission of claim 1 wherein four of the torque transmitting devices are clutches and one of the torque transmitting devices is a brake.

4. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.

5. 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, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with at least one of the ring gear of the second planetary gear set, the ring gear of the third planetary gear set and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

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

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

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

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

a first of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a second of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set;

a third of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the input member with at least one of the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

a fourth of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set and the input member with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set; and

a fifth of the five torque transmitting devices is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting devices 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.

6. The transmission of claim 5 wherein the stationary member is a transmission housing.