Abstract: A clutch assembly for an automatic transmission comprises a side cover housing defining one part of an annular hollow space, a rotary member arranged inside of the annular hollow space defined by the side cover housing, at least one clutch plate axially movably engaged with the side cover housing, at least one second clutch plate axially movably engaged with the rotary member, and a piston arranged in the annular hollow space for thrusting the first and second clutch plates in the axial direction. A cover member is arranged adjacent to the side cover housing while defining the other part of the annular hollow space, and a part of the side surface of the cover member comes in contact with either one of the first and second clutch plates so as to restrict the axial displacement of the same therewith.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic, multiple-ratio torque converter transmission mechanism having a simplified valve system with variable force solenoids for controlling line pressure as well as ratio shifts, a simplified clutch-and-brake hydraulic circuit with separate fluid pressure feed and exhaust passages, a common accumulator arrangement for controlling each of two ratio upshifts and a simplified brake servo mechanism having the dual function of establishing a torque reaction point for each of two distinct transmission ratios.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a new and novel envelope for housing a servo mechanism adapted to control a brake assembly used in conjunction with a vehicular transmission. The envelope is adapted to be demountably received within a receptacle provided in the transmission case. A pilot bore penetrates the transmission case and is located axially of the receptacle. The envelope incorporates a base portion, a cap portion and a coupler portion. A servo-apply pin extends outwardly through the coupler portion of the envelope to be reciprocatingly received within the pilot bore. A piston chamber is provided interiorly of the base and cap portions. An actuating piston is operatively received in the piston chamber, and means are included to effect communication of hydraulic pressure from a conduit within the transmission case, through the coupler portion of the envelope and the servo-apply pin into the piston chamber. Locking means are also provided selectively to secure the envelope to the transmission case.

Abstract: A structure of an automatic transmission includes first and second clutches which are arranged radially so that one is surrounded by the other. This arrangement can reduce the size of the automatic transmission. For example, the first clutch has a first clutch drum splined to an input shaft of the transmission, a first clutch hub, and a first clutch pack between the first clutch drum and hub. The second clutch has a second clutch drum received in, and splined to, the first clutch drum, a second clutch hub, and a second clutch pack therebetween. The second clutch pack is surrounded by the first clutch pack. The second clutch further includes a piston which encloses the first clutch drum and which has a pushing portion on one side of the second clutch pack and a pressure receiving portion on the opposite side.

Abstract: An automatic transmission has a low clutch and a band brake. The band brake is actuated by a hydraulic servo device. In order to establish well timed operations of the low clutch and the band brake upon shifting from third gear to fourth gear, both the release of the low clutch and engagement of the band brake are effected by discharging a hydraulic pressure through a common oil passage from the low clutch and one of the oil chambers of the servo device.

Abstract: An automatic transmission includes: a connection member including an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder and defining a first annular space; a first annular piston arranged in the first annular space and defining a second annular space together with the inner cylinder; a second annular piston arranged in the second annular space; a spring retainer mounted on the inner cylinder in opposition to the second annular piston; a spring interposed, between the spring retainer and the second annular piston; a first clutch adapted to come into and out of engagement with a sun gear by the actuation of the first annular piston 72; a second clutch adapted to come into and out of engagement with an input shaft by the actuation of the second annular piston and left disengaged during forward running; a one-way clutch arranged adjacent to the first clutch and adapted to come into and out of engagement with the sun gear; and a brake interposed between the outer cylinder and the transmission casing.

Abstract: This bi-directional clutch combines the functions of two separate opposite acting clutching systems, each consisting of a one-way roller or sprag clutch and an in-series coupled multi-plate friction unit. The clutch is operative regardless of direction of torque to provide fully synchronized upshifts and downshifts of gear ratios in automatic transmissions. This clutch incorporates a torque responsive reaction plate which regulates the apply pressure in accordance to the torque carried by the clutch. Consequently, when the torque acting in selected direction descends to zero at the start of torque reversal, the clutch is automatically released. Direction of one-way action is selected by switching clutch feed and exhaust oils by controls.

Abstract: A particularly compact planetary gear mechanism includes an axially shiftable ring gear to provide either a direct drive mode or a speed reduction ratio mode between an input sun gear thereof and an output planet carrier thereof. In a first embodiment, the ring gear is urged in a first direction by a compressible spring apparatus to a conjoint coupled relationship with the sun gear for direct drive. In a less frequently used mode the ring gear is urged by a hydraulically actuated annular piston closely encircling it into a fixed relationship with a stationary coupling in opposition to the compressible spring apparatus. A second embodiment has no spring apparatus so that the annular piston is hydraulically biased in either axial direction for positively shifting the ring gear.

Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism including a rotating shaft having a splined end portion, a sun gear splined at a free end of the splined end portion, planetary gears engaging the sun gear, a carrier for rotatably supporting the planetary gears, a ring gear engaging the planetary gears, a clutch for connecting the rotating shaft and the carrier. The clutch has a first rotary member splined on the splined end portion of the rotating shaft such that the first rotary member is adjacent to the sun gear at the free end of the shaft, a first friction member rotatable with the first rotary member, a second rotary member rotatable with the carrier, and a second friction member rotatable with the second rotary member. The first and second friction member frictionally engage each other to transmit power therebetween.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a brake system for use with an automatic transmission for braking a rotatable member such as a brake drum, which is accommodated in a casing and connected to the sun gear or the like of a planetary gear mechanism, by bringing a brake band having two ends into contact with the outer circumference with the rotatable member.

Abstract: A novel power transmission mechanism is provided in which a wide variety of both forward and reverse speed ratios are achieved by coupling two or more planetary gearsets in a unique way. Power input is applied to one of the sun gear, ring gear and planet carrier of the first planetary gearset while another of the gears is maintained stationary and output is taken from one of the sun gear, ring gear and planet carrier not maintained stationary in the first gearset (except that, when power is transmitted to the ring gear, the planet carrier is not maintained stationary). The procedure then is repeated for the second and any subsequent planetary gearset which usually has an overall different gear ratio from the first planetary gearset. Each planetary gearset is capable of producing four forward output ratios and one reverse ratio. Because of the different ratios of the various gearsets, multiple ratios of output are attainable.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission provided with an automatic transmission mechanism section with a planetary gear unit and a torque converter, a snap ring groove is defined by an annular flange section for a stator shaft and a pump cover, and the reaction from a return spring is borne in the annular flange section. A stator shaft, which bears the stator reaction of a torque converter, is engagingly secured in a center hole section of an oil pump assembly, an annular flange section projecting to the radially outer side is formed at one end of the stator shaft, the snap ring groove is defined from the annular flange section and an annular recessed section of the oil pump assembly to receive the snap ring, and a receiving member for the return spring of the hydraulic actuator is maintained by the snap ring installed in the snap ring groove.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission, an arrangement for discharging band servo operating hydraulic pressure comprises an upstanding passage and a communication passage formed in a transmission case, and a discharge valve installed in the communication passage. The upstanding passage is so formed as to extend inwardly or upwardly from a control valve body joining surface of the transmission case. The communication passage is so formed as to extend inwardly from an outer peripheral portion of the transmission case adjacent an oil pump cover joining surface thereof to fluidly connect a servo cylinder chamber to the upstanding passage which is in turn fluidly connected to a servo release passage of a control valve assembly. The discharge valve is in the form of a check valve and disposed in the open end of the communication passage which is located at the above described peripheral portion of the transmission case adjacent the oil pump cover joining surface thereof.