US4036082A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overdrive device
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1975-06-18
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1995-06-18
Abstract
Abstract An overdrive device is provided for use in an automatic transmission of the type including a torque converter and a change gear mechanism. The torque converter has a pump impeller obtaining its input from an engine and a turbine runner whose output is applied to a shaft of the change gear mechanism. The overdrive device is disposed between the torque converter and the change gear mechanism and is responsive to the operation of the change gear mechanism. The device includes a planetary gear train, an overdrive brake, and a one-way clutch. During overdrive, when the speed of the shaft of the change gear mechanism exceeds that of the turbine runner, the overdrive brake is actuated to connect the shaft of the change gear mechanism through the planetary gear train to the pump impeller of the torque converter. The device bypasses the turbine runner of the torque converter by a one-way clutch decoupling the shaft of the change gear mechanism. This overdrive device provides for fuel efficiency by eliminating fluid turbulence in the torque converter during this overdrive condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshi Onuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:44
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H47/00; F16H47/06; F16H47/08; F16H47/085; F16H3/00; F16H3/44; F16H3/62; F16H3/66; F16H3/663
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
322 words
An improved automatic transmission with an overdrive device for an engine having a driving member comprising: a. a change gear mechanism having: i. an input shaft, ii. a planetary gear train, and iii. a plurality of frictional engagement means for interconnecting said input shaft to said planetary gear train; b. a torque converter having: i. a pump impeller connected to the driving member of the engine, ii. a turbine runner connected to said input shaft of said change gear mechanism, iii. a stator located between said pump impeller and said turbine runner, and iv. a converter housing for enclosing said pump impeller, said turbine runner, and said stator in fluid flow relationship therein; c. an overdrive device positioned outside of said converter housing between said torque converter and said change gear mechansim, said device having: i. an overdrive gear train including a sun gear, a carrier responsive to said pump impeller, a ring gear connected to said input shaft of said change gear mechanism for rotation therewith, and a pinion rotatably supported by said carrier and engaging said ring gear and said sun gear, said sun gear thereby being rotated by said carrier, ii. overdrive brake means outside of said converter housing and activated in response to the operation of said change gear mechanism for locking said sun gear against rotation whereby said ring gear is rotated by movement of said carrier in response to movement of said pump impeller, and iii. an intermediate shaft rotatably and co-axially disposed around said input shaft of said change gear mechanism having a first end connected to said pump impeller in said converter housing and a second end extending out of said converter housing and connected to said carrier; and d. a one-way clutch connecting said turbine runner to said input shaft, said one-way clutch decoupling said shaft from said turbine runner when the speed of said input shaft exceeds that of said turbine runner.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
322 words
An improved automatic transmission with an overdrive device for an engine having a driving member comprising: a. a change gear mechanism having: i. an input shaft, ii. a planetary gear train, and iii. a plurality of frictional engagement means for interconnecting said input shaft to said planetary gear train; b. a torque converter having: i. a pump impeller connected to the driving member of the engine, ii. a turbine runner connected to said input shaft of said change gear mechanism, iii. a stator located between said pump impeller and said turbine runner, and iv. a converter housing for enclosing said pump impeller, said turbine runner, and said stator in fluid flow relationship therein; c. an overdrive device positioned outside of said converter housing between said torque converter and said change gear mechansim, said device having: i. an overdrive gear train including a sun gear, a carrier responsive to said pump impeller, a ring gear connected to said input shaft of said change gear mechanism for rotation therewith, and a pinion rotatably supported by said carrier and engaging said ring gear and said sun gear, said sun gear thereby being rotated by said carrier, ii. overdrive brake means outside of said converter housing and activated in response to the operation of said change gear mechanism for locking said sun gear against rotation whereby said ring gear is rotated by movement of said carrier in response to movement of said pump impeller, and iii. an intermediate shaft rotatably and co-axially disposed around said input shaft of said change gear mechanism having a first end connected to said pump impeller in said converter housing and a second end extending out of said converter housing and connected to said carrier; and d. a one-way clutch connecting said turbine runner to said input shaft, said one-way clutch decoupling said shaft from said turbine runner when the speed of said input shaft exceeds that of said turbine runner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The improved transmission of claim 1 wherein said overdrive brake means is positioned immediately adjacent said converter housing and said overdrive gear train is positioned adjacent said overdrive brake means, said overdrive gear train and overdrive clutch means being outside the fluid flow of said torque converter and in concentric relationship with said input shaft of said change gear mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved transmission of claim 1 wherein said ring gear is integrally attached to said input shaft of said change gear mechanism for rotation therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The improved transmission of claim 1 further including a torsional damper, said damper comprising (a) a connection plate formed upon the internal surface of said pump impeller, said plate having teeth on the periphery thereof, (b) a flange connected to said first end of said intermediate shaft, (c) means mounted on the periphery of said flange for engaging the teeth of said connection plate, and (d) a torsion spring interposed between said teeth and said engaging means so as to mitigate shock during power transmission.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The improved transmission of claim 1 wherein said overdrive brake means includes a brake having a drum, a plate secured to said drum, a piston within said drum for hydraulic operation in response to actuation by the change gear mechanism, a flange secured to said drum; and said overdrive device further including a hub for carrying said sun gear, said hub having a disc mounted thereon and positioned between said plate and flange of said drum so that when said piston is actuated the plate and flange engage said disc to lock said sun gear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improved transmission of claim 5 wherein said overdrive device further includes a one-way clutch located adjacent to said hub for effecting engaging action with said hub when the rotational direction of said sun gear becomes opposite that of said input shaft of said change gear mechanism.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |