US3678784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive transmission mechanism having four forward driving speed ratios
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1970-10-29
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Granted: 1972-07-25
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Expires: 1990-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A four-speed ratio power transmission for use in an automotive vehicle driveline including two simple planetary gear units and a compound planetary gear unit, the reaction element for the simple planetary gear units serving as a power input element for the compound planetary gear unit whereby a split torque delivery path is established through said transmission during low speed ratio operation, said input element for the compound planetary gear unit serving as a reaction element during second speed ratio operation, the compound planetary gear unit being situated in a separate housing whereby the transmission structure may be converted to a three-speed ratio transmission.
Inventors
- 👤 George E Lemieux
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:43
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H3/00; F16H3/44; F16H3/62; F16H3/66; F16H3/666; F16H47/00; F16H47/06; F16H47/08; F16H2200/00; F16H2200/003; F16H2200/0043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A multiple ratio power transmission mechanism comprising first planetary gearing having a power input element and a power output element, a driven shaft connected to said power output element, clutch means and brake means for controlling relative motion of the elements of said gearing, a first reaction element of said gearing being anchored by said brake means during a first underdrive operation, a second reaction element of said gearing being anchored during operation in another underdrive ratio, a compound planetary gear unit having a power input element connected to said first reaction element and a power output element connected to said driven shaft, additional brake means for anchoring a reaction element of said compound planetary gear unit during operation in a low underdrive speed ratio, said compound planetary gear unit including two sets of planetary gear elements, the gear elements of each set engaging each other whereby said compound planetary gear unit reverses the direction of the torque applied to the input element thereof as the torque applied to the output element thereof complements the torque distributed to said driven shaft through said planetary gearing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A multiple ratio power transmission mechanism comprising first planetary gearing having a power input element and a power output element, a driven shaft connected to said power output element, clutch means and brake means for controlling relative motion of the elements of said gearing, a first reaction element of said gearing being anchored by said brake means during a first underdrive operation, a second reaction element of said gearing being anchored during operation in another underdrive ratio, a compound planetary gear unit having a power input element connected to said first reaction element and a power output element connected to said driven shaft, additional brake means for anchoring a reaction element of said compound planetary gear unit during operation in a low underdrive speed ratio, said compound planetary gear unit including two sets of planetary gear elements, the gear elements of each set engaging each other whereby said compound planetary gear unit reverses the direction of the torque applied to the input element thereof as the torque applied to the output element thereof complements the torque distributed to said driven shaft through said planetary gearing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
98 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said compound planetary gear unit includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a first set of planet pinions engageable with said sun gear and a second set of planet pinions engageable with said ring gear and with said first planet pinions, a common carrier for journaling said planet pinions, said carrier being connected to said driven shaft, said sun gear being connected to said first reaction element of said planetary gearing, auxiliary brake means for anchoring the ring gear of said compound planetary gear unit during low speed ratio operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said planetary gearing comprises a pair of simple planetary gear units, each gear unit comprising a ring gear, a sun gear, a carrier and planet pinions journaled on said carrier in meshing engagement with the sun and ring gears, first clutch means for connecting selectively said power input element to the ring gear of one simple planetary gear unit, second clutch means for connecting said power input element to the sun gear of the other set of planetary gear units and brake means for selectively anchoring the sun gear of said one simple planetary gear unit during intermediate speed ratio operation, said sun gear of said one planetary gear unit corresponding to said first reaction element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said planetary gearing comprises a pair of simple planetary gear units, each gear unit comprising a ring gear, a sun gear, a carrier and planet pinions journaled on said carrier in meshing engagement with the sun and ring gears, first clutch means for connecting selectively said power input element to the ring gear of one simple planetary gear unit, second clutch means for connecting said power input element to the sun gear of the other set of planetary gear units and brake means for selectively anchoring the sun gear of said one simple planetary gear unit during intermediate speed ratio operation, said sun gear of said one planetary gear unit corresponding to said first reaction element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said compound planetary gear unit comprises a ring gear, a sun gear, a carrier, two sets of planet pinions journaled on said carrier, one set of planet pinions engaging said sun gear and the other of said planet pinions engaging said ring gear, the planet pinions of each set engaging each other, said first reaction element being connected to the carrier of said simple planetary gear unit, said sun gear being connected to said driven shaft and auxiliary brake means for anchoring the ring gear of said compound planetary gear unit during low speed ratio operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said compound planetary gear unit comprises a ring gear, a sun gear, a carrier, two sets of planet pinions journaled on said carrier, one set of planet pinions engaging said sun gear and the other of said planet pinions engaging said ring gear, the planet pinions of each set engaging each other, said first reaction element being connected to the carrier of said simple planetary gear unit, said sun gear being connected to said driven shaft and auxiliary brake means for anchoring the ring gear of said compound gear unit during low speed ratio operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-25 | 1976-01-24 | 1976-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-25 | 1980-01-24 | 1980-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-25 | 1984-01-24 | 1984-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |