Dual Clutch Powershift Transmission
First Claim
1. A dual-clutch transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline, comprising:
- an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline;
an input shaft continuously driven by the engine, the input shaft being offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the output shaft;
a countershaft in constant driving engagement with the output shaft, the countershaft being offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the output shaft and the input shaft;
a first clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a first driven shaft;
a second clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a second driven shaft;
a first constant mesh gearset being driven by the first driven shaft;
a second constant mesh gearset being driven by the second driven shaft; and
first and second gearset clutches, the first gearset clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the first gearset and the countershaft, the second gearset clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the second gearset and the countershaft.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated dual-clutch multi-speed transmission is adapted to transfer power from an engine to the driveline of a motor vehicle. The transmission includes an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline, an input shaft continuously driven by the engine and offset from a position substantially parallel to the output shaft. A countershaft is in constant driving engagement with the output shaft and is offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the input and output shafts. A first clutch is operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a first driven shaft. A second clutch is operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a second driven shaft. First and second gearset clutches are operable to releasably drivingly couple first and second gearsets to the countershaft.
37 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A dual-clutch transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline, comprising:
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an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline; an input shaft continuously driven by the engine, the input shaft being offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the output shaft; a countershaft in constant driving engagement with the output shaft, the countershaft being offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the output shaft and the input shaft; a first clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a first driven shaft; a second clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a second driven shaft; a first constant mesh gearset being driven by the first driven shaft; a second constant mesh gearset being driven by the second driven shaft; and first and second gearset clutches, the first gearset clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the first gearset and the countershaft, the second gearset clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the second gearset and the countershaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A dual-clutch transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine and a driveline, comprising:
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an input shaft continuously driven by the engine; an output shaft adapted for connection to the driveline and having a first output gear fixed thereto; a countershaft having a second output gear fixed thereto in meshed engagement with the first output gear; a first clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a first substantially tubular shaft having a first drive gear fixed thereto, the first tubular shaft concentrically encompassing a portion of the input shaft; a second clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a second substantially tubular shaft, the second tubular shaft concentrically encompassing a portion of the input shaft and having a second drive gear fixed thereto; first and second speed gears rotatably supported on the countershaft, the first speed gear being in meshed engagement with the first drive gear and the second speed gear being in meshed engagement with the second drive gear; and first and second speed gear clutches, the first speed gear clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the first speed gear and the countershaft, the second speed gear clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the second speed gear and the countershaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A dual-clutch transmission for use in a motor vehicle having an engine, a front driveline, and a rear driveline, the transmission comprising:
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a first output shaft adapted for connection to the front driveline; a second output shaft adapted for connection to the rear driveline; an input shaft driven by the engine, the input shaft being offset from and positioned substantially parallel to the first and second output shafts; a countershaft in constant driving engagement with the first and second output shafts; a first clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a first driven shaft; a second clutch operable for establishing a releasable drive connection between the input shaft and a second driven shaft; a first constant mesh gearset driven by the first driven shaft; a second constant mesh gearset driven by the second driven shaft; and first and second gearset clutches, the first gearset clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the first gearset and the countershaft, the second gearset clutch being operable to releasably drivingly couple the second gearset and the countershaft. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification