Patent ID: 6056666
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B60K

Abstract:
A planetary gear assembly comprising:a stationary member;a first rotary member;a second rotary member;a carrier coupled to said second rotary member;a ring gear;a sun gear;a pinion gear rotatably supported from said carrier and meshed with said ring gear and said sun gear;a range clutch having a first sleeve coupled for rotation with said ring gear and which is rotatably supported on a second sleeve coupled for rotation with said first rotary member, said range clutch is operable in a first position to uncouple said first sleeve from said stationary member and couple said second sleeve to said carrier such that said second rotary member is driven by said first rotary member at a first speed ratio, said range clutch is operable in a second position to couple said first sleeve to said stationary member and couple said second sleeve to said sun gear such that said second rotary member is driven by said first rotary member at a second speed ratio and said range clutch is operable in a third position whereat said first sleeve is uncoupled from said stationary member and said second sleeve is uncoupled from said carrier and said sun gear such that said second rotary member is not driven by said first rotary member; anda shift member for moving said range clutch between its first and second positions.