Parallel axes type automatic transmission
A parallel axes type automatic transmission including a first input shaft having m or more (m is an integer not less than 2) wet multiplate clutches and drive gears rotatably mounted, a second input shaft having n or more (n is an integer greater than m and not less than 3) wet multiplate clutches and drive gears rotatably mounted, and a third input shaft having m or less wet multiplate clutches and drive gears rotatably mounted. The automatic transmission further includes an output shaft having a fixed final drive gear and a plurality of fixed driven gears. The first, second, and third input shafts are arranged at different levels so that the second input shaft is arranged at the highest level, the first input shaft is arranged at the middle level, and the third input shaft is arranged at the lowest level.
1. A parallel axes type automatic transmission comprising:
a first input shaft having m wet multiplate clutches and m drive gears rotatably mounted, wherein m represents a quantity of clutches and of gears, and is an integer not less than 2;
a second input shaft having n wet multiplate clutches and n drive gears rotatably mounted, wherein n represents a quantity of clutches and of gears, and is an integer greater than m and not less than 3;
a third input shaft having at most m wet multiplate clutches and at most m drive gears rotatably mounted; and
an output shaft having a fixed final drive gear and a plurality of fixed driven gears;
said first, second, and third input shafts being arranged at different elevations such that said second input shaft is arranged at a highest elevation, said first input shaft is arranged at a middle elevation, and said third input shaft is arranged at a lowest elevation,
wherein said second input shaft has a largest value for a lubrication flow coefficient, said first input shaft has a middle value for said lubrication flow coefficient, and said third input shaft has a smallest value for said lubrication flow coefficient,
wherein said lubrication flow coefficient is the product of (1) a speed reducing ratio of an input shaft selected from said first, second and third input shafts with respect to said first input shaft, and (2) the number of wet multiplate clutches provided on said input shaft selected from said first, second and third shafts.
2. The parallel axes type automatic transmission according to claim 1 , wherein m is 2, n is 3, and said third input shaft has one wet multiplate clutch.