Multi-speed transmission

• US 8,167,770 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2011
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• 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: Hukill, Gregory, Phillips, Andrew W., Wittkopp, Scott H., Carey, Clinton E., Hart, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, David D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bishop, Erin D
• Application Number:
  US13/236,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20120004070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 225 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 475/323
• 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 interconnecting members, and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets include first, second and third members. The plurality of interconnecting members each continuously interconnect one of the first, second and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary member. 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.

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;

a plurality of interconnecting members each continuously interconnecting one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary member;

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

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

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

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

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member, and

wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish a plurality of 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 a first of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the first member of the first planetary gear set with a stationary member.

3. The transmission of claim 2 wherein a second of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

4. The transmission of claim 3 wherein a third of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the third planetary gear set.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein the first members are sun gears, the second members are carrier members, and the third members are ring gears.

6. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a second of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

7. The transmission of claim 1 wherein a third of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the third planetary gear set.

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

9. The transmission of claim 1 wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the first member of the third planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set.

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

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 input member is continuously interconnected with the first member of the third planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;

a plurality of interconnecting members each continuously interconnecting one of the first, second and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first, second and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a transmission housing;

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

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

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

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

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set with the transmission housing, and

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

12. The transmission of claim 11 wherein a first of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the first member of the first planetary gear set with the transmission housing.

13. The transmission of claim 12 wherein a second of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

14. The transmission of claim 13 wherein a third of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the third member of the first planetary gear set with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the third member of the third planetary gear set.

15. The transmission of claim 14 wherein the first members of the planetary gear sets are sun gears, the second members of the planetary gear sets are carrier members, and the third members of the planetary gear sets are ring gears.

16. 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 sun gear of the third planetary gear set and wherein the output member is continuously interconnected with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

a plurality of interconnecting members each continuously interconnecting one of the sun gears, carrier members, and ring gears of the planetary gear sets with another one of the sun gears, carrier members, and ring gears of the planetary gear sets, and a transmission housing;

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

a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the input member and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set with at least one of the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set, the carrier member of the second planetary gear set, and the carrier member of the first planetary gear set;

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

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

a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set with the transmission housing, and

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

17. The transmission of claim 16 wherein a first of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with the transmission housing.

18. The transmission of claim 17 wherein a second of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set and the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set.

19. The transmission of claim 18 wherein a third of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnects the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.