Patent ID: 6287233
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A powertrain having a multi-speed planetary transmission comprising:an input shaft;an output shaft;three simple planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a ring gear and a planetary carrier assembly, said planetary carrier assembly comprising a plurality of rotatable pinion gears each meshing with said sun gears and ring gears respectively, a second of said planetary gear set being physically located between a first of said planetary gear set and a third of said planetary gear set;said planetary carrier assembly of said first planetary gear set and said ring gear of said third planetary gear set being continuously interconnected with said output shaft;said ring gear of said first planetary gear set, said sun gear of said second planetary gear set and said planetary carrier assembly of said third planetary gear set being continuously interconnected;said ring gear of said second planetary gear set and said sun gear of said third planetary gear set being continuously interconnected;a first brake mechanism for selectively connecting said ring gear of said first planetary gear set, said sun gear of said second planetary gear set and said planetary carrier assembly of said third planetary gear set with a transmission housing;a second brake mechanism for selectively connecting said planetary carrier assembly of said second planetary gear set with said transmission housing;a third brake mechanism for selectively connecting said ring gear of said second planetary gear set and said sun gear of said third planetary gear set with said transmission housing;a first clutch mechanism for selectively connecting said sun gear of said first planetary gear set with said input shaft;a second clutch mechanism for selectively connecting said ring gear of said first planetary gear set, said sun gear of said second planetary gear set and said planetary carrier assembly of said third planetary gear set with said input shaft;a third clutch mechanism for selectively connecting said ring gear of said second planetary gear set and said sun gear of said third planetary gear set with said input shaft;said three planetary gear sets, said first, second and third clutch mechanisms and said first, second and third brake mechanisms being operable to provide a reverse speed ratio and five forward speed ratios including a first and lowest ratio and a fifth and highest ratio; andsaid second planetary gear set and said third planetary gear set cooperating to provide the fifth and highest forward speed ratio during the selective engagement of said second clutch mechanism and said second brake mechanism.