IP Library Granted Patent US 7,008,347
Granted Patent B2
US 7,008,347 · App. 10/819,449 · Granted Mar 7, 2006

Single overdrive six-speed transmission with low internal speeds

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,008,347
App. No.
10/819,449
Granted
Mar 7, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A six-speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a planetary gear arrangement having first, second and third planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having first, second and third members. First and second interconnecting members continuously interconnect members of the planetary gear sets. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to establish six forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft. The second and third sun gears hold the reaction torque in the first through fourth speeds, resulting in low planetary gear loading, which provides small gear sets, reduced clutch loading, reduced internal speeds, and low losses.

Claims (62)

1. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input shaft;

an output shaft;

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

said input shaft being continuously interconnected with said first member of said first planetary gear set, and said output shaft being continuously interconnected with said second member of said second planetary gear set;

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

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

said third member of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with a stationary member;

a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said second planetary gear set;

a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member; and

a sixth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said third member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member;

wherein said six torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and six forward speed ratios.

2. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein a first forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said fourth and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a second forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said third and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a third forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said first and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a fourth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a fifth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and first torque-transmitting mechanisms; a sixth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and fourth torque-transmitting mechanisms; and a reverse speed ratio is established with the engagement of said fourth and fifth torque-transmitting mechanisms.

3. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third planetary gear sets are simple planetary gear sets.

4. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first planetary gear set is a compound planetary gear set, and said second and third planetary gear sets are simple planetary gear sets.

5. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein each of said first members is a ring gear, each of said second members is a planet carrier assembly member, and each of said third members is a sun gear.

6. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first planetary gear set comprise a sun gear, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second and third planetary gear sets comprise a ring gear, a planet carrier assembly member, and a sun gear, respectively.

7. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first planetary gear set comprise a planet carrier assembly member, a ring gear, and a sun gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second and third planetary gear sets comprise a ring gear, a planet carrier assembly member, and a sun gear, respectively.

8. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said first, second, third and fourth torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise rotating clutches, and said fifth and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms comprise brakes.

9. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said fifth forward speed ratio is a 1:1 ratio.

10. The transmission of claim 5 , wherein said ring gear of said first planetary gear set has 85 teeth; said sun gear of said first planetary gear set has 55 teeth; said ring gear of said second planetary gear set has 81 teeth; said sun gear of said second planetary gear set has 21 teeth; said ring gear of said third planetary gear set has 81 teeth; and said sun gear of said third planetary gear set has 29 teeth.

11. The transmission of claim 6 , wherein said ring gear of said first planetary gear set has 85 teeth; said sun gear of said first planetary gear set has 55 teeth; said ring gear of said second planetary gear set has 81 teeth; said sun gear of said second planetary gear set has 31 teeth; said ring gear of said third planetary gear set has 81 teeth; and said sun gear of said third planetary gear set has 49 teeth.

12. The transmission of claim 7 , wherein said ring gear of said first planetary gear set has 81 teeth; said sun gear of said first planetary gear set has 41 teeth; said ring gear of said second planetary gear set has 81 teeth; said sun gear of said second planetary gear set has 23 teeth; said ring gear of said third planetary gear set has 81 teeth; and said sun gear of said third planetary gear set has 35 teeth.

13. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein a sun gear of said second and third planetary gear sets are grounded in the first, second, third and fourth forward speed ratios.

14. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein the transmission is shifted between the first and reverse speed ratios by engaging and disengaging brakes.

15. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input shaft;

an output shaft;

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

said input shaft being continuously interconnected with said first member of said first planetary gear set, and said output shaft being continuously interconnected with said second member of said second planetary gear set;

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

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

said third member of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with a stationary member;

a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said second planetary gear set;

a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said second member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member; and

a sixth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said third member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member;

wherein a first forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said fourth and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a second forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said third and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a third forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said first and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a fourth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a fifth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and first torque-transmitting mechanisms; a sixth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and fourth torque-transmitting mechanisms; and a reverse speed ratio is established with the engagement of said fourth and fifth torque-transmitting mechanisms.

16. The transmission of claim 15 , wherein each of said first members is a ring gear, each of said second members is a planet carrier assembly member, and each of said third members is a sun gear.

17. The transmission of claim 15 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first planetary gear set comprise a sun gear, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second and third planetary gear sets comprise a ring gear, a planet carrier assembly member, and a sun gear, respectively.

18. The transmission of claim 15 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first planetary gear set comprise a planet carrier assembly member, a ring gear, and a sun gear, respectively, and said first, second and third members of said second and third planetary gear sets comprise a ring gear, a planet carrier assembly member, and a sun gear, respectively.

19. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input shaft;

an output shaft;

a planetary gear arrangement having first, second and third planetary gear sets, each planetary gear set having a ring gear, a planet carrier assembly member, and a sun gear;

said input shaft being continuously interconnected with said ring gear of said first planetary gear set, and said output shaft being continuously interconnected with said planet carrier assembly member of said second planetary gear set;

a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said ring gear of said second planetary gear set with said planet carrier assembly member of said third planetary gear set;

a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting said sun gear of said second planetary gear set with said sun gear of said third planetary gear set;

said sun gear of said first planetary gear set being continuously connected with a stationary member;

a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said ring gear of said first planetary gear set with said ring gear of said third planetary gear set;

a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said ring gear of said first planetary gear set with said ring gear of said second planetary gear set;

a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said planet carrier assembly member of said first planetary gear set with said planet carrier assembly member of said third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said planet carrier assembly member of said first planetary gear set with said ring gear of said third planetary gear set;

a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said planet carrier assembly member of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member; and

a sixth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively interconnecting said sun gear of said third planetary gear set with said stationary member;

wherein said six torque-transmitting mechanisms are engaged in combinations of two to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and six forward speed ratios.

20. The transmission of claim 19 , wherein a first forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said fourth and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a second forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said third and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a third forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said first and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a fourth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and sixth torque-transmitting mechanisms; a fifth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and first torque-transmitting mechanisms; a sixth forward speed ratio is established with the engagement of said second and fourth torque-transmitting mechanisms; and a reverse speed ratio is established with the engagement of said fourth and fifth torque-transmitting mechanisms.

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2015
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 037023/0222 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Sep 3, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.
Reel/Frame 033659/0069 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 10, 2011
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 025780/0902 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 8, 2010
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025327/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025311/0770 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2010
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 025245/0442 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UAW RETIREE MEDICAL BENEFITS TRUST
Reel/Frame 023162/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 27, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 023156/0052 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 21, 2009
From: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023127/0468 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 20, 2009
From: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 023124/0429 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 16, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR BANK PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES; CITICORP USA, INC. AS AGENT FOR HEDGE PRIORITY SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 022553/0446 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 4, 2009
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
To: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Reel/Frame 022201/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2009
From: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 022117/0022 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 28, 2004
From: KLEMEN, DONALD
To: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014917/0217 →