Method for controlling a multi-speed transmission having four planetary gear sets for producing at least nine gear speeds

• US 8,961,355 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2011
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2011
• 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., Olson, Bret M., Wittkopp, Scott H.
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, SHERRY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/187,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20130023376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,314 Days
• Field of Search: 475275-279
• US Class Current: 475/275
• 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 3/66 composed of a number of gear trains without drive passing from one train to another

Abstract

A transmission of the present invention has 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. A method for controlling the transmission selectively engages the torque transmitting devices in combinations of at least two to establish at least nine forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a transmission, the method comprising:

providing an input member;

providing an output member;

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

providing a first interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with first members of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

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

providing a third interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the first member of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

providing a second torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first members of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a third torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set and the output member with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing a fourth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;

providing a fifth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary member;

providing a sixth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member;

establishing a first forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a second forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a third forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a fourth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the sixth torque transmitting device;

establishing a fifth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a sixth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the third torque transmitting devices;

establishing a seventh forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing an eighth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fourth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a ninth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the fifth torque transmitting devices; and

establishing a reverse speed ratio by selectively activating the fourth, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein providing a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members further comprises providing the first member of the first planetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set as sun gears, the second member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gear set, the second member of the third planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set as carrier members and the third member of the first planetary gear set, third member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set as ring gears.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing an input member further comprises providing an input member continuously interconnected with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein providing an output member further comprises providing output member continuously interconnected with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

5. A method for controlling a transmission, the method comprising:

providing an input member;

providing an output member;

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

providing a first interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with first members of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

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

providing a third interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the first member of the second planetary gear set and the input member with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set;

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

providing a second torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the first planetary gear set and the first members of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a third torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the second member of the third planetary gear set and the output member with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing a fourth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary member;

providing a fifth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the stationary member;

providing a sixth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the third member of the third planetary gear set with the stationary member;

establishing a first forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a second forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a third forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a fourth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the sixth torque transmitting device

establishing a fifth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a sixth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the third torque transmitting devices;

establishing a seventh forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing an eighth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fourth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a ninth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the fifth torque transmitting devices; and

establishing a reverse speed ratio by selectively activating the fourth, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein providing a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members further comprises providing the first member of the first planetary gear set, the first member of the second planetary gear set, the first member of the third planetary gear set and the first member of the fourth planetary gear set as sun gears, the second member of the first planetary gear set, the second member of the second planetary gear set, the second member of the third planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set as carrier members and the third member of the first planetary gear set, third member of the second planetary gear set, the third member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set as ring gears.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein providing an input member further comprises providing an input member continuously interconnected with the first member of the second planetary gear set and the second member of the fourth planetary gear set.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein providing an output member further comprises providing output member continuously interconnected with the second member of the third planetary gear set.

9. A method for controlling a transmission, the method comprising:

providing a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member and a ring gear;

providing an input member continuously interconnected with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing an output member continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

providing a first interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a second interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear of the second planetary gear set;

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

providing a first torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the input member, the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set;

providing a second torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a third torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set and the output member with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing a fourth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary portion of a housing of the transmission;

providing a fifth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with a stationary portion of the housing of the transmission;

providing a sixth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with a stationary portion of the housing of the transmission;

establishing a first forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a second forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a third forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a fourth forward speed ratio by selectively activating only the third and the sixth torque transmitting devices wherein only the third and sixth torque transmitting devices transmit torque;

establishing a fifth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a sixth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the third torque transmitting devices;

establishing a seventh forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing an eighth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fourth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a ninth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the fifth torque transmitting devices; and

establishing a reverse speed ratio by selectively activating the fourth, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices.

10. A method for controlling a transmission, the method comprising:

providing a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member and a ring gear;

providing an input member continuously interconnected with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing an output member continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

providing a first interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a second interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear of the second planetary gear set;

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

providing a first torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the input member, the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set;

providing a second torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a third torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set and the output member with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing a fourth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary portion of a housing of the transmission;

providing a fifth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with a stationary portion of the housing of the transmission;

providing a sixth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with a stationary portion of the housing of the transmission;

establishing a first forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a second forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a third forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a fourth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the sixth torque transmitting devices wherein the third and sixth torque transmitting devices transmit torque and the fourth torque transmitting device carries zero torque;

establishing a fifth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a sixth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the third torque transmitting devices;

establishing a seventh forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing an eighth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fourth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a ninth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the fifth torque transmitting devices; and

establishing a reverse speed ratio by selectively activating the fourth, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices.

11. A method for controlling a transmission, the method comprising:

providing a first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier member and a ring gear;

providing an input member continuously interconnected with the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing an output member continuously interconnected with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;

providing a first interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gear set with sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a second interconnecting member for continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set with the ring gear of the second planetary gear set;

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

providing a first torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the input member, the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and carrier member of the fourth planetary gear set with the carrier member of the second planetary gear set;

providing a second torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with the ring gear of the first planetary gear set and the sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets;

providing a third torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the third planetary gear set and the output member with the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set;

providing a fourth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the carrier member of the second planetary gear set with a stationary portion of a housing of the transmission;

providing a fifth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gear set with a stationary portion of the housing of the transmission;

providing a sixth torque transmitting device to selectively interconnect the ring gear of the third planetary gear set with a stationary portion of the housing of the transmission;

establishing a first forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a second forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a third forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a fourth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the sixth torque transmitting devices wherein the third and sixth torque transmitting devices transmit torque and the second torque transmitting device carries zero torque;

establishing a fifth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a sixth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the first, the second and the third torque transmitting devices;

establishing a seventh forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fifth torque transmitting devices;

establishing an eighth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the second, the third and the fourth torque transmitting devices;

establishing a ninth forward speed ratio by selectively activating the third, the fourth and the fifth torque transmitting devices; and

establishing a reverse speed ratio by selectively activating the fourth, the fifth and the sixth torque transmitting devices.