Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a motor vehicle includes a casing having first and second housing portions cooperating with one another to define a cavity. The propulsion system further includes an electric motor disposed within the cavity. A support mechanism is attached to at least one of the first and second housing portions. The support mechanism includes a first side that faces the first housing portion and a second side that faces the second housing portion and is disposed within the cavity. Bearing seats are formed in the first housing portion, the second housing portion, and the second side of the support mechanism. Bearings are engaged with an associated one of the bearing seats and are configured to rotatably support the input member, the layshaft, and the output member in a fixed-free bearing arrangement. The first side of the support mechanism is free of the bearing seats and the bearings.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system includes an electric motor having a hollow rotor shaft, an input drive sprocket connected to the hollow rotor shaft, a first chain mounted on the input drive sprocket, a transfer driven sprocket mounted on a transfer shaft, the first chain is also mounted on the transfer driven sprocket, a transfer drive sprocket mounted on the transfer shaft, a second chain mounted on the transfer drive sprocket, a final drive driven sprocket connected to a differential, the second chain is also mounted on the final drive driven sprocket, a first axle connected to an output of the differential, and a second axle connected to another output of the differential.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.