Patent ID: 6186029
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A multi-speed transmission assembly, comprising:a) an input shaft for receiving rotational forces from a prime mover;b) first and second countershafts including gear assemblies having clutches for coupling gears to said countershafts;c) the axes of said first and second countershafts and an axis of an output shaft being arranged such that the three axes are parallel with respect to each other and are spaced radially from each other, such that the axes are arranged in a triangular relationship;d) a first gear carried by said first countershaft, and a second gear carried by said second countershaft, said first and second gears being in co-meshing relationship and operative, under predetermined operating conditions, to produce rotation in said first countershaft that is opposite that produced in said second countershaft;e) a first companion gear carried by said first countershaft and a second companion gear carried by said second countershaft, said companion gears being spaced with respect to each other so that said companion gears are not in direct meshing engagement;f) a third gear carried by said output shaft, said third gear being in co-meshing engagement with said first and second companion gears;g) a first clutch operative to selectively couple one of said first and second gears to its associated countershaft; and,h) a second clutch operative to selectively couple one of said first companion and second companion gears to its associated countershaft.