Granted Patent B2

US 7,828,688 · App. 11/774,877 · Granted Nov 9, 2010

Abstract

Claims (47)

1. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

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

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

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

six torque-transmitting devices each of which selectively interconnects a respective one of said members of said planetary gear sets with one of a stationary member and another respective one of said members of said planetary gear sets, said six torque-transmitting devices being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input member and said output member;

wherein the transmission is characterized by an absence of any additional torque-transmitting device selectively interconnecting any one of said members of said planetary gear sets to one of said stationary member and any other of said members of said planetary gear sets; and

wherein the transmission is characterized by an absence of any additional interconnecting member continuously interconnecting any one of said members of said planetary gear sets to any other of said members of said planetary gear sets.

2. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein a first of said six torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively connecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said stationary member.

3. The transmission of claim 2 , wherein a second of said six torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively connecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with said stationary member.

4. The transmission of claim 3 , wherein a third of said six torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively connecting said second member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set.

5. The transmission of claim 4 , wherein a fourth of said six torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively connecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set.

6. The transmission of claim 5 , wherein a fifth of said six torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively connecting said third member of said first planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set.

7. The transmission of claim 6 , wherein a sixth of said six torque-transmitting devices is operable for selectively connecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set.

8. The transmission defined in claim 1 , wherein said first and second torque-transmitting devices comprise brakes, and said third, fourth, fifth and sixth torque-transmitting devices comprise clutches.

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

10. The transmission of claim 1 , wherein said input member is continuously connected with said second member of said first planetary gear set, and said output member is continuously connected with said second member of said second planetary gear set.

11. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

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

said input member being continuously connected with said second member of said first planetary gear set; and said output member being continuously connected with said second member of said second planetary gear set;

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

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

a first torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with a stationary member;

a second torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with said stationary member;

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

a fourth torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said first member of said first planetary gear set with said first member of said third planetary gear set;

a fifth torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said third member of said first planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set;

a sixth torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said third member of said second planetary gear set with said second member of said third planetary gear set; and

said six torque-transmitting devices being engaged in combinations of three to establish at least ten forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between said input member and said output member.

12. The transmission of claim 11 , wherein said first, second and third members of said first, second and third planetary gear sets comprise a sun gear member, a planet carrier assembly member and a ring gear member, respectively.

13. A multi-speed transmission comprising:

an input member;

an output member;

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

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

a first interconnecting member continuously connecting said ring gear member of said first planetary gear set with said sun gear member of said second planetary gear set;

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

a first torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said sun gear member of said first planetary gear set with a stationary member;

a second torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said ring gear member of said second planetary gear set with said stationary member;

a third torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said planet carrier assembly member of said first planetary gear set with said sun gear member of said third planetary gear set;

a fourth torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said sun gear member of said first planetary gear set with said sun gear member of said third planetary gear set;

a fifth torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said ring gear member of said first planetary gear set with said planet carrier assembly member of said third planetary gear set;

a sixth torque-transmitting device selectively connecting said ring gear member of said second planetary gear set with said planet carrier assembly member of said third planetary gear set; and

said six torque-transmitting devices being engaged in combinations of three to establish ten forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between said input member and said output member.

Assignments (12)