Multi-speed transmission

• US 8,197,375 B1
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Hart, James M., Mellet, Edward W., Wittkopp, Scott H., Phillips, Andrew W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, David D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bishop, Erin D
• Application Number:
  US13/095,628
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 475/275
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/0065 the gear ratios comprising nine forward speeds
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/201 with three sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2012 with four sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2023 using a Ravigneaux set with 4 connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2046 with six engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/663 with conveying rotary motion between axially spaced orbital gears, e.g. RAVIGNEAUX
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/666 with compound planetary gear units, e.g. two intermeshing orbital gears F16H3/663 takes precedence

Abstract

A transmission includes an input and output member, four planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, five interconnecting members continuously interconnecting members of the four planetary gear sets and six torque transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first members, second members, and third members with at least one of another of the first members, second members, third members, and a stationary member. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine 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 and second planetary gear sets each having a first, second and third members, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the first member of the first planetary gear set;

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

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

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

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set with the planetary gear set assembly;

six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first member, second member, and third member of one of the planetary gear sets with one of the first member, second member, and third member of another one of the planetary gear sets and a stationary member, and

wherein the first member of the first planetary gear set is a sun gear member and the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine 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 six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member.

3. The transmission of claim 2 wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the second member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member.

4. The transmission of claim 3 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein a fourth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member.

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

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

8. The transmission of claim 7 wherein the third interconnecting member continuously interconnects at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set.

9. The transmission of claim 8 further comprising a fourth and fifth interconnecting members, wherein the fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnects the third member of the fourth planetary gear set with the second member of the third planetary gear set and the fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnects the second member of the fourth planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set.

10. The transmission of claim 9 wherein each of the first members of second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are sun gear members, each of the second members of the first, third and fourth planetary gear sets and the third member of the second planetary gear set are planet gear carrier members and each of the third members of the first, third and fourth planetary gear sets and the second member of the second planetary gear set are ring gear members.

11. The transmission of claim 10 wherein the planet gear carrier member of the second planetary gear set rotatably supports a first and second sets of planet gears, wherein the first set of planet gears intermesh with the sun gear member and the second set of planet gears and the second set of planet gears intermesh with the first set of planet gears and the ring gear member.

12. The transmission of claim 9 wherein each of the first members of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are sun gear members, each of the second members of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are planet gear carrier members and each of the third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gear members.

13. The transmission of claim 12 wherein the planet gear carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set rotatably supports a first and second sets of planet gears, wherein the first set of planet gears intermesh with the sun gear member and the second set of planet gears of the fourth planetary gear set and the second set of planet gears intermesh with the first set of planet gears and the ring gear member of the fourth planetary gear set.

14. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

a stationary member;

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

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

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

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the second member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

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

six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first member, second member, and third member of one of the planetary gear sets with one of the first member, second member, and third member of another one of the planetary gear sets and a stationary member, and

wherein the first member of the first planetary gear set is a sun gear member and the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

15. The transmission of claim 14 wherein a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member.

16. The transmission of claim 15 wherein a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the second member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary member.

17. The transmission of claim 16 wherein a third of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set with the stationary member.

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

19. The transmission of claim 18 wherein a fifth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set with at least one of the first member of the first planetary gear set and the input member.

20. The transmission of claim 19 wherein a sixth of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gear set with at least one of the first member of the first planetary gear set and the input member.

21. The transmission of claim 20 wherein each of the first members are of the second, third and fourth planetary gear sets are sun gear members, each of the second members of the first, third and fourth planetary gear sets and the third member of the second planetary gear set are planet gear carrier members and each of the third members of the first, third and fourth planetary gear sets and the second member of the second planetary gear set are ring gear members.

22. The transmission of claim 20 wherein each of the first members of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are sun gear members, each of the second members of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set are planet gear carrier members and each of the third members of the first, second and third planetary gear sets and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set are ring gear members.

23. A transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

a stationary member;

first and second planetary gear sets each having a first, second and third members;

a planetary gear set assembly having two first members, a second member and a third member, wherein the input member is continuously interconnected with the first member of the first planetary gear set and the output member is continuously interconnected with the second member of the planetary gear set assembly;

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

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

a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting at least one of the third member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with a first of the two first members of the planetary gear set assembly;

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

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

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

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

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

a sixth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect a second of the two first members of the planetary gear set assembly with the first member of the first planetary gear set, and

wherein the first members of the planetary gear assembly are sun gear members and the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

24. The transmission of claim 23 wherein each of the first members of the first and second planetary gear sets are sun gear members, each of the second members of the first and second planetary gear sets and the planetary gear set assembly are planet gear carrier members and each of the third members of the first and second planetary gear sets and the planetary gear set assembly are ring gear members.

25. The transmission of claim 24 wherein the planet gear carrier member of the planetary gear set assembly rotatably supports a first and second sets of planet gears, wherein the first set of planet gears are elongated planet gears and intermesh with the first of the two sun gear members of the planetary gear set assembly and the second set of planet gears and the second set of planet gears intermesh with the first set of planet gears, the second of the two sun gear members and the ring gear member of the planetary gear set assembly.