Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Daimler Chrysler Ag

Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

Daimler Ag

Chrysler Corporation

Boris Iosifovich Burgman

John A Diemer

Tejinder Singh

Patrick S Portell

Douglas John Dwenger

Richard A Pashnik

Clinton E Carey

Henryk Sowul

James M Hart

Scott H Wittkopp

Edwin T Grochowski

Elizabeth I Wooden

Pete R Garcia

Dan Coffey

David M Zini

Robert Joseph Gonzales

Goro Tamai

Donald Klemen

Scott Heitzenrater

Fredrick R Poskie

Kent A Miller

Jack M Gayney

Gregory Deneszczuk

Randal William Arndt

Dwayne P Joppeck

Arvo J Siismets

Kent H Kienzle

Michael B Solt

Charles Wayne Lewis

John William Kimes

David B Mischler

Jonathan Tyler Caulton

Derrick R Black

William J Crecelius

Csilla B Parsell

A retention ring is configured to retain components within a transmission assembly. The retention ring has an annular main body defining an opening through a center thereof. The annular main body defines an outer curved surface and an inner curved surface, the annular main body having a distal face disposed in a distal plane and a proximal face disposed in a proximal plane. A first set of retention features extend from the inner curved surface, and a second set of retention features from the outer curved surface. One of the sets of retention features is configured to engage a backing plate or an outer member, and at least one of the sets of retention features is entirely disposed between the proximal plane and the distal plane. A transmission assembly includes the retention ring and an adjacent external snap ring.

Snap ring retention

A bearing and shaft arrangement of an automobile vehicle electric drive unit includes a gearbox. A first electric motor within the gearbox is engaged with and axially rotates a first shaft within the gearbox. A second electric motor within the gearbox is engaged with and axially rotates a second shaft within the gearbox. A first roller bearing assembly supports the first shaft to a first structural member of the gearbox. A second roller bearing assembly supports the second shaft to the first structural member of the gearbox. A thrust bearing is positioned between the first roller bearing assembly and the second roller bearing assembly and directly contacts the first shaft and the second shaft in a drive mode and reacts a first axial load of the first shaft and a second axial load of the second shaft directed toward the first axial load.

Bearing and shaft arrangement for electric drive unit

A planetary gear assembly for transferring torque in a transmission includes first and second planetary gear sets, each including a ring gear, a sun gear, and a carrier bearing a plurality of planet gears. A bridge portion connects a first carrier of the first planetary gear set to a second ring gear of the second planetary gear set. The bridge portion may be disposed radially outward of the first sun gear, and the bridge portion may be connected to an outer side of the first carrier. In some examples, a first ring bearing assembly is constrained by the first ring gear and the bridge structure; a first carrier bearing assembly is constrained by a first case portion and a bridge extension extending from the first carrier; and a second ring bearing assembly is constrained by a second case portion and a second bridge extension extending from the second ring gear.

Concentric bridge gear system

A transmission having a rotating clutch pack assembly is provided, The rotating clutch pack having an interconnecting member, a plurality of friction discs, a rotating member, a first and a second axial bearing, and a biasing member. The interconnecting member is connected for common rotation with a member of the planetary gear set. The rotating member is connected to the second set of friction discs for common rotation. The first axial bearing is disposed between the clutch piston and the plurality of friction discs and the second axial bearing is disposed between the plurality of friction discs and the transmission housing. The biasing member is disposed between the interconnecting member and the rotating member. A clutch piston selectively applies an axial force through the first axial bearing, the plurality of friction discs, and the second axial bearing to the transmission housing.

Rotating clutch pack assembly

A continuously variable automatic transmission having a direction selection mechanism with both friction and binary torque transmitting devices. The transmission includes a torque converter which drives a ring gear of a planetary gear assembly. The sun gear of the planetary assembly drives the input of a variable ratio device. In one embodiment, the friction brake is disposed between a planetary gear carrier and a stationary housing or ground and is engaged to provide reverse direction of travel. The binary clutch is disposed between the ring gear and the planet carrier and, when engaged, locks the planetary gear assembly and provides forward direction of travel. In other embodiments, a binary brake is disposed between the planetary gear carrier and the housing and is engaged to provide reverse travel and a friction clutch is disposed between the ring gear and the planet carrier and, when engaged, locks the planetary assembly and provides forward travel.

Continuously variable transmission with direction selection mechanism

A transmission having a rotating clutch pack assembly is provided, the rotating clutch pack having an interconnecting member, a plurality of friction discs, a rotating member, a first and a second axial bearing, and a biasing member. The interconnecting member is connected for common rotation with a member of the planetary gear set. The rotating member is connected to the second set of friction discs for common rotation. The first axial bearing is disposed between the clutch piston and the plurality of friction discs and the second axial bearing is disposed between the plurality of friction discs and the transmission housing. The biasing member is disposed between the interconnecting member and the rotating member. A clutch piston selectively applies an axial force through the first axial bearing, the plurality of friction discs, and the second axial bearing to the transmission housing.

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes including a selectable one-way clutch actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.

Multi-speed transmission

A balanced snap ring and method of making a balanced snap ring is disclosed. The snap ring has a circular shape wherein the circular shape has a circumference. The snap ring has a body section and a protrusion extending axially from the body section. The protrusion is formed partially around the circumference. Additionally, a transmission with a balanced snap ring is disclosed.

Balanced snap ring

An electrically-variable transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission includes an input member and an output member each rotatable about a first axis. The transmission includes a casing defining a cavity between a first end wall and a second end wall. The transmission includes a first motor/generator and a second motor/generator disposed in the cavity with a second planetary gear set disposed between the first and second motor/generators along the first axis. The transmission includes a first torque-transmitting mechanism disposed between the first and second motor/generators along the first axis. The transmission includes a second torque-transmitting mechanism disposed between the first end wall and the first motor/generator along the first axis. The first motor/generator is disposed between the first and second torque-transmitting mechanisms along the first axis. The transmission includes a damper mechanism disposed between the second end wall and a first planetary gear set along the first axis.

Electrically-variable transmission for a vehicle

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque-transmitting devices. Further, a hydraulic fluid control circuit is provided for controlling the operation of the plurality of torque-transmitting devices. The hydraulic fluid control circuit receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from an off-axis hydraulic fluid pump and has a plurality of fluid passages disposed in the transmission house, input member and other coupling members.

Automatic transmission gear and clutch arrangement

A low mass, two piece planetary gear carrier having an integrated clutch housing comprises a first carrier flange and clutch housing and a second carrier flange which are secured together by a plurality of threaded fasteners extending through hollow dowels. A plurality of planet gears receive needle bearing assemblies which are, in turn, supported on pins or stub shafts. The stub shafts are retained in the carrier by transverse retaining pins received in the second carrier flange and extending into the shafts. Unitized washers are disposed between both faces of the planet gears and the flanges. The method of assembly is also a feature of the present invention.

Low mass planetary carrier and clutch housing

A gear retention assembly for retaining a gear that has a plurality of gear outer splines includes a gear housing and a retaining ring. The gear housing has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of inner splines each including a ramp portion. The second end of the gear housing includes an annular continuous rolled lip, where the continuous rolled lip and the ramp portions of the plurality of inner splines define a groove. The plurality of inner splines engage with the gear outer splines of the gear to transmit torque between the gear and the gear housing. The retaining ring is disposed in the groove and axially retains the gear. The rolled lip axially retains the retaining ring.

Gear retention assembly

Two embodiments of an improved connection between an engine output shaft and a transmission input shaft reduce or eliminate axial shaft loading and spin losses. In a first embodiment, the transmission input shaft includes an annular flange which is received within a slightly larger annulus or a plurality of axially extending tabs from the engine flex plate. After the transmission and engine are assembled, a plurality of fasteners are installed in radial openings in the flex plate annulus or tabs and extend into threaded openings in the annular flange. Since the output and input shafts are connected after the engine and transmission are assembled there is essentially no deflection of the flex plate, no axial loads on the shafts and no spin losses. In a second embodiment, a plurality of axially oriented threaded fasteners extend through openings in the flex plate and are received within nuts in a transmission drive plate. The nuts include eccentric flanges and are retained in the drive plate by snap rings. This eccentricity creates a reaction torque when the threaded fasteners are tightened. Because the nuts are free to travel and accommodate a small axial distance, deflection of the flex plate does not occur.

Engine drive plate connection

A planetary gear set for a transmission, the planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes an annular first carrier member, at least one pinion pin, and at least one planet gear assembly. The first carrier member has at least one radial groove connecting a step surface to an inner surface of a pinion pin bore. A pinion pin has a bearing surface and a bore. The bore has a first and a second open end, the first open end in communication with the bearing surface the second open end in communication with the radial groove of the carrier member.

Lubrication system for a planetary gear set

A planetary gear assembly having improved planet gear lubrication includes a thrust bearing assembly mounted to the planet gear carrier which provides a friction reducing interface between the carrier and a hub or stationary transmission member. A lubrication dam located radially outwardly of the thrust bearing assembly collects transmission fluid (oil) that has been supplied through a centrally disposed shaft and driven to and past the thrust bearing and into the dam by centrifugal force. Transmission fluid collecting within the dam and between the thrust bearing assembly and the planet gear carrier generates a biasing force which drives the thrust bearing assembly away from the planet gear carrier, thereby ensuring that the bearing position is not indeterminate and positively locating the thrust bearing assembly and providing an annular flow path for the transmission fluid which is then directed into a plurality of axial passageways in stub shafts which support the planet gears. At least one radial passageway in each stub shaft provides lubricating transmission fluid to a bearing assembly disposed between the stub shaft and the planet gear.

Growing community of inventors

Oak Park, MI, United States of America

Boris Iosifovich Burgman