And Nonplanetary Gearing Patents (Class 475/66)
  • Patent number: 11035450
    Abstract: A drive unit is disclosed. The drive unit includes a prime mover, a torque converter, and a power transmission mechanism. A torque is inputted from the prime mover to the torque converter. The power transmission mechanism is disposed between the prime mover and the torque converter. The power transmission mechanism is configured to transmit the torque outputted from the torque converter toward a drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10995827
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission has drive and output shafts, three front-mounted and two rear-mounted planetary gear sets, and shift elements which can be engaged to selectively implement at least eleven forward gears and one reverse gear. The front gear sets are connected to one element of the rear gear sets. Five shift elements are assigned to the front gear sets and two are assigned to the rear gear sets, such that the front gear sets transmit seven output speeds to the rear gear sets. If normalized to the input speed of the drive shaft, at least one output speed of the front gear sets is less than 0, one output speed is greater than 1, one output speed is equal to 0, one output speed is equal to 1 and two output speeds are between 0 and 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Kai Bornträger, Christoph Margraf, Andreas Beisswenger, Stefan Brom
  • Patent number: 10670122
    Abstract: An automatic transmission where the first engagement element is positioned between the continuously variable speed change mechanism and a portion of the second power transmission path on the wheel side, at which the second power transmission path is coupled to the first power transmission path, and is allowed to be switched to the disengaged state for inertial traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Okoshi, Tomoya Hirao, Masashi Takizawa, Keita Shindo, Kazuya Inaba
  • Patent number: 10436290
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include input and output shafts, first to fifth planetary gear sets respectively having first to third, fourth to sixth, seventh to ninth, tenth to twelfth, and thirteenth to fifteenth elements, a first shaft fixed with the first and fifth elements and the input shaft, a second shaft fixed with the fourteenth element and the output shaft, a third shaft fixed with the third and fourth elements, a fourth shaft fixed with the sixth and tenth elements, a fifth shaft fixed with the eighth, eleventh, and fifteenth elements, a sixth shaft fixed with the ninth element, and a plurality of shafts, each of which is selectively connectable to a housing and fixed to an element of the first, third, fourth, and fifth gear sets which is not fixed with the first to sixth shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Ho Kim, Jae Joon Lee, Jong Sool Park, Kyeong Hun Lee, Jong Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9279488
    Abstract: A belt type variable speed-change mechanism transmitting a rotational power from a driving shaft to a driven shaft in a continuously variable manner and a constant-speed power-transmitting mechanism transmitting a rotational power at a constant-speed from the driving shaft to a constant-speed driven-side rotational body supported by the driven shaft in a relatively rotatable manner with respect thereto are accommodated in a casing. A planetary gear mechanism including a first element receiving a variable-speed rotational power through the driven shaft, a second element receiving a constant-speed rotational power through the constant-speed driven-side rotational body and a third element outputting a combined rotational power is supported by the driven shaft in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Ishino
  • Patent number: 8663047
    Abstract: A superimposed transmission for driving a rotational speed-variable work machine having the following design: an input shaft (2) is connected to an intermediate shaft (3); a pump wheel (5) of a hydrodynamic converter (6) rotates with the intermediate shaft (3); a turbine wheel (7) of the hydrodynamic converter (6) rotates with a superposition means; the intermediate shaft (3) and the transmission means are connected to an output shaft (14) by means of a differential gear (4); and the transmission means is designed as at least one coupling shaft (10), which connection the turbine wheel (7) of the hydrodynamic converter (6) to the differential gear (4). The at least one coupling shaft (10) runs parallel to the intermediate shaft (3). An additional hydrodynamic converter (15) can be present and/or the coupling shaft (10) can be connected in an engageable manner directly to the input shaft (2) by means of an additional transmission (18) for starting the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Schroth, Kersten Hahn, Hartmut Garf, Karl Hilpert
  • Patent number: 7575111
    Abstract: A clutch apply control valve switches between a first position and a second position based on a control pressure PDS1 and a control pressure PDS2. When both the control pressure PDS1 and the control pressure PDS2 are output, the clutch apply control valve switches from the first position to the second position and outputs the control pressure PDS2. As a result, a lockup control valve switches to an OFF position. Accordingly, a dedicated solenoid valve for controlling operation of the clutch apply control valve can be eliminated, thus reducing both size and cost while enabling a lockup clutch to be released even if there is an ON failure of a solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Ogata, Yoshinobu Soga
  • Publication number: 20080215216
    Abstract: A method controls an internal combustion engine in a drive train having a hydraulic torque converter with a pump wheel and a turbine wheel, during a changeover from an overrun mode into a traction mode. In the method, the rotational speeds of the pump wheel and of the turbine wheel are sensed simultaneously and compared with one another, and a deviation of the rotational speed of the pump wheel from the rotational speed of the turbine wheel being determined. If the rotational speed of the turbine wheel is higher than the rotational speed of the pump wheel and the deviation drops below a predefined threshold value, the torque of the internal combustion engine is set in dependence on the deviation and a rate of change of the rotational speed of the pump wheel. Furthermore a control unit is configured to carry out such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Antoon Nicolaas Janssen
  • Patent number: 6702700
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to expand the direct drive region of the torque converter in a five or six-speed automatic transmission apparatus for front wheel drive to greatly improve the power performance and fuel economy thereof. The apparatus has a first shaft 10, a second shaft 31, planetary gear trains 11 and 12 disposed on second shaft 31, counter gears pairs X, Y, three clutches, and two brakes. The pair of counter gears have different gear ratios and serve to couple the first shaft with each of the structural elements of the planetary gear trains. The clutches and brakes selectively couple two elements to control the power transmission path. The pair of counter gears X is connected to the first structural element of the planetary gear trains via the first clutch and the pair of counter gears Y is connected to either the first and second structural elements or the second and fourth structural elements of the planetary gear trains via the second or third clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6699150
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to expand the direct drive region of the torque converter in a five or six-speed automatic transmission apparatus for front wheel drive to greatly improve the power performance and fuel economy thereof. The apparatus has a first shaft 10, a second shaft 31, planetary gear trains 11 and 12 disposed on second shaft 31, counter gears pairs X, Y, three clutches, and two brakes. The pair of counter gears have different gear ratios and serve to couple the first shaft with each of the structural elements of the planetary gear trains. The clutches and brakes selectively couple two elements to control the power transmission path. The pair of counter gears X is connected to the first structural element of the planetary gear trains via the first clutch and the pair of counter gears Y is connected to either the first and second structural elements or the second and fourth structural elements of the planetary gear trains via the second or third clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6567735
    Abstract: A method of shortening response time during a gear shifting operation process is applicable to a semi-automatic, electronically controlled transmission of motor vehicles, in particular utility vehicles, takes into account a driver's reaction time to reduce delay in clutch re-engagement. To initiate a gear-shifting operation in such a transmission, the driver actuates a shifting command emitter and at the same time disengages a clutch typically by depressing a clutch pedal. In response thereto, a newly selected gear is engaged in the transmission by an electronic system using outside force assistance, for example compressed fluid. The driver is informed via an acknowledgment device when the clutch can be properly engaged once more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Wabco GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Bortfeld, Alfred Klatt, Uwe Winkelholz
  • Patent number: 6565470
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to expand the direct drive region of the torque converter in a five or six-speed automatic transmission apparatus for front wheel drive to greatly improve the power performance and fuel economy thereof. The apparatus has a first shaft 10, a second shaft 31, planetary gear trains 11 and 12 disposed on second shaft 31, counter gears pairs X, Y, three clutches, and two brakes. The pair of counter gears have different gear ratios and serve to couple the first shaft with each of the structural elements of the planetary gear trains. The clutches and brakes selectively couple two elements to control the power transmission path. The pair of counter gears X is connected to the first structural element of the planetary gear trains via the first clutch and the pair of counter gears Y is connected to either the first and second structural elements or the second and fourth structural elements of the planetary gear trains via the second or third clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Exedy Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6066059
    Abstract: A torque converter, a forward and reverse changeover apparatus including a planetary gear, a reverse brake and a forward clutch, and a lock-up clutch are integrally accommodated in the same torque converter case. Further, the planetary gear, the reverse brake, the forward clutch and the lock-up clutch are arranged on approximately the same plane expanded in the radial direction with respect to a transmission input shaft. Further, a forward clutch piston and a lock-up piston are arranged side by side on the transmission main shaft and a hydraulic chamber for operating the lock-up piston is provided independently from other hydraulic circuits. Thus constituted continuously variable automatic transmission provides a transmission having a short width and a good controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Kashiwase
  • Patent number: 5860499
    Abstract: A power take off device for an automatic transmission for taking off auxiliary power has a power take off switch which turns on the power take off device. The automatic transmission includes a torque converter and a lock-up clutch. The torque converter is connected to the power take off device when the power take off switch is turned on. The automatic transmission includes a lock-up control valve operating the lock-up clutch and a 1-2 shift valve for changing gear speed from a first stage to a second stage. The 1-2 shift valve supplies line pressure to the lock-up control valve when the shift lever is in the neutral position or the parking position and cuts off line pressure supplied to the lock-up control valve when the 1-2 shift valve is in the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Onimaru, Suguru Futamura, Kokichi Kato
  • Patent number: 5257675
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus that includes an engine, a transmission disposed alongside of the engine in juxtaposed relation; and gears, a chain, a belt, or the like operatively coupling the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission. The transmission comprises a countershaft-type transmission having, in addition to the input shaft, a countershaft and an output axis of rotation which extend parallel to the input shaft. The countershaft is disposed more closely to the engine than a plane which passes through the input shaft and the output axis of rotation of the transmission. Preferably, the output shaft of the engine and the input shaft of the transmission are operatively coupled with a resilient belt trained around a drive pulley coupled to the output shaft of the engine and a driven pulley coupled to the input shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Araki, Tomokazu Takeda, Masahiro Imamura, Yorinori Kumagai, Masayuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 5194052
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated stepless transmission has a first power flow path established so as to include a torque converter and a reverse and reduction gear and a second power flow path established so as to include a stepless transmission gear. The first and second flow paths are selectively available. A hydraulic control circuit, including at least one oil pump, causes a decrease in quantity of a lubrication oil delivered to the stepless transmission gear while the first power flow path is established, and causes a decrease in quantity of a working oil delivered to the torque converter while the second power flow path is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ueda, Seiji Esaki, Osamu Sado
  • Patent number: 5129285
    Abstract: An automatic transaxle comprises a rotary motion transmitting unit which transmits a rotary motion between two parallel shafts including an input shaft in driving connection with a turbine of a hydrodynamic unit, i.e., a torque converter. The rotary motion transmitting unit includes a driver sprocket, a follower sprocket, and a chain in driving connection between the sprockets. The pump has a pump housing fixed to a stationary support plate. The driver and follower sprockets are rotatably supported at this stationary support plate. A reaction shaft in driving connection with an inner race of a one-way clutch of a stator of the torque converter extends through the stationary support plate and rotatably supports the driver sprocket. The reaction shaft is hollow to allow the input shaft to extend therethrough. The input shaft is drivingly connected with the driver sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sugano, Osamu Furuya
  • Patent number: 5035682
    Abstract: An automotive transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a torque converter or a clutch, an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft for driving a differential and transmission gear trains disposed between the input and output shafts. The first and second countershafts are disposed between the input and output shafts with an auxiliary transmission gear train connecting the input shaft and the first countershaft. The first and second countershafts are connected by normally meshing gears. A main transmission gear train with multiple gear ratios connects the second countershaft to the output shaft. A portion of the main transmission gear train is positioned adjacent the torque converter or the clutch to produce a compact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakayama, Hiroyuki Shimada, Toshiyuki Yumoto
  • Patent number: 4978328
    Abstract: A transaxle assembly for use in a vehicle driveline comprising a hydrokinetic torque converter (12, 14, 16) located on an engine axis, planetary gearing (178, 180) located on a space parallel axis including means (242, 248, 250) for transferring the output torque of the planetary gearing to each of two axle shafts situated on an axis common to the axis of the planetary gearing and a multiple ratio torque transfer drive (52, 80, 90, 112, 114) between the turbine of the hydrokinetic torque converter and the torque input element of the planetary gearing, the transfer drive comprising a pair of differential diameter external tooth gears that are independently rotated and clutch means (96, 98) for selectively activating and deactivating each of two torque flow paths between the differential diameter gears whereby the speed-torque characteristics of the engine can be precisely matched with the ratio range available for the planetary gearing and the hydrokinetic torque converter to effect optimum powertrain performa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Stanley L. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4901597
    Abstract: A continuously variable automotive transmission includes a fluid torque converter adapted to be connected to an engine and having a turbine shaft, a single driver gear or two driver gears fixedly mounted on the turbine shaft, and a V-belt continuously variable transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Torao Hattori, Masao Nishikawa