Abstract:
A multi step transmission comprising planetary gearsets (P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 ), shafts and shift elements. The sun gear of gearset (P 1 ) couples shaft ( 4 ) which couples housing (G) via brake ( 04 ). The carrier of gearset (P 1 ) couples shaft ( 3 ) which couples housing (G) via brake ( 03 ), drive shaft ( 1 ) via clutch ( 13 ), and shaft ( 5 ) via clutch ( 35 ). Shaft ( 5 ) couples the ring gear of gearset (P 2 ) and, via clutch ( 58 ), shaft ( 8 ) which couples the sun gear of gearset (P 4 ). Shaft ( 1 ) couples the sun gear of gearset (P 2 ) and operatively couples the carrier of gearset (P 3 ). Shaft ( 6 ) couples the ring gear of gearset (P 1 ) and the carrier of gearset (P 2 ), and operatively couples the sun gear of gearset (P 3 ). The ring gear of set (P 4 ) couples a housing (G) and drive shaft ( 2 ) couples the ring gear and the carrier of gearsets (P 3 , P 4 ) respectively.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from German patent application serial no. 10 2009 028 675.6 filed Aug. 20, 2009. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a multi step transmission of a planetary design, in particular an automatic transmission for a motor. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    According to the prior art, automatic transmissions, particularly for motor vehicles, comprise planetary gear sets that are shifted using friction elements or shift elements such as clutches and brakes, and are typically connected to a start-up element, such as a hydrodynamic torque converter or a fluid coupling, that is subject to a slip effect and is provided optionally with a lock-up clutch. 
         [0004]    Such an automatic transmission is known, for example, from the applicant&#39;s DE 199 49 507 A1, according to which two non-shiftable front-mounted gear sets are provided on the drive shaft and generate two rotational speeds on the output side, which, in addition to the rotational speed of the drive shaft, can be selectively meshed with a shiftable double planetary gear set acting on the output shaft by selective engagement of the shift elements such that only one of the two currently actuated shift elements must be engaged or disengaged to shift from one gear to the next higher or lower gear. 
         [0005]    By using five shift elements, seven forward gears are obtained; by using six shift elements, nine or ten forward gears are obtained. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, a multi step automatic transmission with eight forward gears and one reverse gear is known from DE 102 13 820 A1, and it comprises a first input path T1 of a first transmission ratio; an input path T2, which features a larger transmission ratio than the input path T1; a planetary gear set of the Ravigneaux type with four elements, whereby the four elements are placed as a succession of elements in a rotational speed diagram as a first element, a second element, a third element and a fourth element; a clutch C-2, which transfers the torque of input path T2 to the first element S3, a clutch C-1, which transfers the torque of input path T2 to the fourth element S2; a clutch C-4, which transfers the torque of input path T1 to the first element; a clutch C-3, which transfers the torque of input path T1 to the second element C3; a brake B-1, which produces meshing of the fourth element; a brake B-2, which produces meshing of the second element; and a drive element, which is coupled with the third element S3. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, a 9-speed multi step transmission is known from DE 29 36 969 A1; it comprises eight shift elements and four gear sets, wherein one gear set serves as a front-mounted gear set and the main gearing features a Simpson set and a further gear set serving as reverse gearing. 
         [0008]    Additional multi step transmissions are for example known from the applicant&#39;s DE 102005010210 A1 and DE 102006006637 A1. 
         [0009]    Automatically shiftable vehicle transmissions, of a planetary design, are already generally described numerous times in the prior art and are continually undergoing further development and improvement. These transmissions should have a relatively simple design, in particular requiring a low number of shift elements, and minimize the need for double shifting when sequential shifting is performed, thereby ensuring that only one shift element is ever switched, when shifting is performed in defined groups of gears. 
         [0010]    The applicant&#39;s document, DE 102008000428.3, which is not yet published, discloses a multi step transmission of a planetary design that includes an input shaft and an output shaft which are arranged in a housing. The known transmission includes at least four planetary gear sets, which are designated, in the following, as the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets, at least eight rotatable shafts which are designated in the following as the drive shaft, output shaft, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth shafts, and at least six shift elements comprising brakes and clutches, whose selective engagement produces different transmission ratios between the drive shaft and the output shaft, such that preferably nine forward gears and one reverse gear can be realized. 
         [0011]    Thereby, the first and second planetary gear sets, which are preferably designed as minus planetary gear sets, form a shiftable front-mounted gear set, and the third and fourth planetary gear sets form a main gear set. 
         [0012]    The design of the known multi step transmission provides that the carriers of the first and second planetary gear sets are coupled together via the fourth shaft, which is connected to an element of the main gear set, the ring gear of the first planetary gear set is coupled to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set via the eighth shaft, which is detachably connectable to the drive shaft via the first clutch, and the sun gear of the first planetary gear set can be coupled to a transmission housing by means of the third shaft, via a first brake, and is detachably connectable to the drive shaft via a second clutch. The ring gear of the second planetary gear set can be coupled to a transmission housing by means of the fifth shaft via a second brake. In addition, the seventh shaft is constantly connected to at least one element of the main gear set, and can be coupled to a transmission housing via a third brake. The sixth shaft is constantly connected to at least one further element of the main gear set, and is detachably connectable to the drive shaft, via a third clutch; the drive shaft is constantly connected at least to one further element of the main gear set. 
         [0013]    In the known transmission, the fourth shaft is preferably constantly connected to the ring gear of the third planetary gear set, the sixth shaft is constantly connected to the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set and to the carrier of the third planetary gear set, and is detachably connectable to the drive shaft via the third clutch. Furthermore, the seventh shaft is constantly connected to the sun gears of the third and fourth planetary gear sets, and can be coupled to a transmission housing via the third brake. In this case, the output drive is produced via the output shaft that is constantly connected to the carrier of the fourth planetary gear set. Furthermore, the third and fourth planetary gear sets can be combined or reduced to a Ravigneaux set having a common carrier and a common ring gear. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The objective of the present invention is to propose a multi step transmission of the initially described type, which features nine forward gears and at least one reverse gear, with a sufficient transmission ratio, in which the construction expenditure and the overall size, in particular the overall length and weight, are optimized, and additionally, in which efficiency is improved with respect to drag losses and gearing losses. In addition, in the multi step transmission according to the invention, minimal support moments should be exerted on the shift elements. According to the invention, the transmission should be particularly suited for a front transverse construction. 
         [0015]    Accordingly, a multi step transmission, according to the invention, of a planetary design is proposed, which has a drive shaft and an output shaft, which are arranged in a housing. In addition, at least four planetary gear sets are provided, which are designated, in the following, as the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets, eight rotatable shafts, which are designated, in the following, as the drive shaft, output shaft, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth shafts, and at least six shift elements comprising brakes and clutches, whose selective engagement produces different transmission ratios between the drive shaft and the output shaft, such that preferably nine forward gears and one reverse gear are feasible. 
         [0016]    The planetary gear sets, viewed axially, are arranged in the sequence of first planetary gear set, second planetary gear set, third planetary gear set, fourth planetary gear set, and are preferably designed as minus planetary gear sets. 
         [0017]    As is well known, a simple minus planetary gear set comprises a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier, on which the planetary gears are rotatably supported, and such planetary gears mesh with the sun gear and the ring gear respectively. As a result, when the carrier is held in place, the ring gear has a rotational direction that is opposite to that of the sun gear. In contrast, a simple plus planetary gear set comprises a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier, on which inner and outer planet gears are rotatably placed, whereby all inner planet gears mesh with the sun gear and all outer planet gears mesh with the ring gear, whereby each inner planet gear meshes with only one outer planet gear. As a result, when the carrier is held in place, the ring gear has the same rotational direction as the sun gear. 
         [0018]    According to the invention, the sun gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the fourth shaft, which can be coupled to the transmission housing via the first brake. The carrier of the first planetary gear set is connected to the third shaft, which can be coupled to the transmission housing via the second brake, and is detachably connectable, via the first clutch, with the drive shaft and, via the second clutch, with the fifth shaft. The fifth shaft is connected to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set and is detachably connectable to the eight shaft, which is connected, via a fourth clutch, to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear set. The drive shaft is connected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and is operatively connected to the carrier of the third planetary gear set. 
         [0019]    In addition, the ring gear of the first planetary gear set is connected to the sixth shaft, which is directly connected to the carrier of the second planetary gear set and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and is operatively connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set. The ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set is coupled to a transmission housing, and the drive shaft is connected to the ring gear of the third planetary gear set and the carrier of the fourth planetary gear set. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the drive shaft is detachably connectable to the carrier of the third planetary gear set via a seventh shaft, that is connected to the carrier of the third planetary gear set, and via a third clutch that detachably connects the seventh shaft with the drive shaft, and the sixth shaft is directly connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set. 
         [0021]    According to an additional design version of the invention, it is provided that the drive shaft is directly connected to the carrier of the third planetary gear set instead of detachably connectable via the seventh shaft and the third clutch, and the sixth shaft is not directly connected to the sun gear, but is instead connected, via an additional shaft, to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set and is detachably connectable, via an additional clutch, that detachably connects the additional shaft with the sixth shaft. 
         [0022]    The embodiment of the multi step transmission, according to the invention, results in transmission ratios that are particularly suitable for passenger vehicles, and in a greater overall gear ratio of the multi step transmission, thereby improving driving smoothness and significantly reducing fuel consumption. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, construction expenditure is significantly reduced with the multi step transmission, according to the invention, due to a low number of shift elements. According to the invention, the multi step transmission offers the advantage of performing a start-up using a hydrodynamic converter, an external start-up clutch, or even other suitable external start-up elements. It is also conceivable to perform the start-up using a start-up element integrated into the transmission. Preferably, a shift element that is actuated in the first forward gear and in the reverse gear is suitable. 
         [0024]    Moreover, the multi step transmission, according to the invention, results in good efficiency in the main drive gears with respect to drag and gearing losses. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, low moments occur in the shift elements and in the planetary gear sets of the multi step transmission, thereby advantageously reducing wear in the multi step transmission. In addition, the low moments make it possible to utilize correspondingly low dimensions, thereby reducing the necessary installation space and related costs. Furthermore, the rotational speeds of the shafts, shift elements, and planetary gear sets are low. 
         [0026]    In addition, the transmission, according to the invention, is designed to allow adaptability to different drive train embodiments in terms of power flow direction and spatial aspects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0027]    The invention is described in greater detail in the following examples, supported by the attached figures. They show: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1 : a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of a multi step transmission according to the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2 : a schematic view of a second preferred embodiment of a multi step transmission according to the invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 3 : an example of shift schematics for a multi step transmission according to  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a multi step transmission, according to the invention, which has a drive shaft  1 , an output shaft  2 , and four planetary gear sets P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4  which are arranged in a housing G. Planetary gear sets P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4 , shown as an example in  FIG. 1 , are designed as minus planetary gear sets. According to the invention, at least one planetary gear set can be implemented as a plus planetary gear set, if the carrier and ring gear connection are exchanged and, simultaneously, the value of the stationary transmission ratio is increased by  1  in comparison to the embodiment as a minus planetary gear set 
         [0032]    In the embodiment shown, the planetary gear sets, viewed axially, are arranged in the sequence P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4 . 
         [0033]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , six shift elements, namely two brakes  03 ,  04  and four clutches  13 ,  35 ,  17  and  58 , are provided. The spatial arrangement of the shift elements can be arbitrary, and is only limited by the dimensions and the outer design. The clutches and the brakes of the transmission are preferably designed as friction shift elements or lamellar shift elements. 
         [0034]    Selective shifting of nine forward gears and one reverse gear can be performed using these shift elements. The multi step transmission, according to the invention, has a total of eight rotatable shafts, namely shafts  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , whereby the drive shaft is the first shaft, and the output shaft is the second shaft of the transmission. 
         [0035]    The multi step transmission, according to the invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , provides that the sun gear of the first planetary gear set P 1  is connected to the fourth shaft  4 , which can be coupled to the transmission housing G via a first brake  04 . The carrier of the first planetary gear set P 1  is connected to the third shaft  3 , which can be coupled to the transmission housing G via a second brake  03 , and is detachably connectable to the drive shaft  1  via the first clutch  13  and to the fifth shaft  5  via a second clutch  35 . 
         [0036]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the fifth shaft  5  is connected to the ring gear of the second planetary gear set P 2  and is detachably connectable via a fourth clutch  58  to the eighth shaft  8 , which is connected to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gear P 4 . The drive shaft  1  is connected to the sun gear of the second planetary gear set P 2  and via a third clutch  17  and the seventh shaft  7  (connected to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3 ), is detachably connectable to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3 . 
         [0037]    According to the invention, the ring gear of the first planetary gear set P 1  is connected to the sixth shaft  6 , which is directly connected to the carrier of the second planetary gear set P 2  and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set P 3 , and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gear set P 4  is coupled to the transmission housing G (shaft  0 ); the output shaft  2  is connected, according to the invention, to the ring gear of the third planetary gear set P 3  and the carrier of the fourth planetary gear set P 4 . 
         [0038]    According to the invention, the first clutch  13 , viewed axially, can be arranged between the first and the second planetary gear sets P 1 , P 2 , and the third clutch  17 , viewed axially, can be arranged between the third and fourth planetary gear sets P 3 , P 4 . 
         [0039]    In addition, the second and the first brake  03 ,  04 , and the second clutch  35  are preferably arranged side-by-side viewed from the axial perspective, whereby the fourth clutch  58  can be arranged between the third and fourth planetary gear set P 3 , P 4 , viewed from the axial perspective. 
         [0040]    The design example shown in  FIG. 2  differs from the design example according to  FIG. 1  in that the detachable connection of the drive shaft  1  to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3  by means of the third clutch  17 , which detachably connects the drive shaft  1  to the seventh shaft  7 , and via the seventh shaft  7 , which is connected to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3 , is replaced by a direct connection of the drive shaft  1  to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3 , wherein in this case, the sixth shaft  6  is not directly connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set P 3 , but instead by means of an additional shaft  7 ′, which is connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set P 3 , and via a further connecting clutch  67 , which detachably connects the additional shaft  7 ′ to the sixth shaft  6 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary shift scheme of a multi step transmission according to  FIG. 1 . Three shift elements are engaged for every gear. The shift pattern shows, as examples, the particular transmission ratios i of the individual gear steps, and, to be determined therefrom, the gear increments or step changes phi to the next higher gear, wherein the value 9.004 is the transmission ratio spread. 
         [0042]    Typical values for stationary gear ratios of the planetary gear sets P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4 , which are engineered as minus planetary gear sets, are −1.60, −2.228, −1.60 and −3.642 respectively.  FIG. 3  shows that, when sequentially shifting, double shifts or group shifts are prevented, because two adjacent gear steps jointly use two shift elements. It is also shown that a large transmission ratio spread is attained with small gear increments. 
         [0043]    The first forward gear results from the engagement of the first brake  04  and the second and fourth clutches  35 ,  58 ; the second forward gear from the engagement of the first, second and fourth clutches  13 ,  35 ,  58 ; the third forward gear from the engagement of the first brake  04  and the first and fourth clutches  13 ,  58 ; the fourth forward gear from the engagement of the first, third and fourth clutches  13 ,  17 ,  58 ; the fifth forward gear from the engagement of the first brake  04  and first and third clutches  13 ,  17 ; the sixth forward gear, preferably designed as the direct gear, from the engagement of the first, second and third clutches  13 ,  35 ,  17 ; the seventh forward gear from the engagement of the first brake  04  and the second and third clutches  35 ,  17 ; the eighth forward gear from the engagement of the second brake  03  and second and third clutches  35 ,  17 , and the ninth forward gear results from the engagement of the first and second brakes  04 ,  03  and the third clutch  17 ; whereby the reverse gear results from the engagement of the first and second brakes  04 ,  03  and the fourth clutch  58 . 
         [0044]    Because of the fact that the first brake  04  and the fourth clutch  58  are engaged in the first forward gear and first reverse gear, these elements can be utilized as start-up elements. 
         [0045]    In the instance, that as shown in the design example per  FIG. 2 , the third clutch  17  is removed and replaced by another clutch  67 , i.e. in the case that the drive shaft  1  is directly connected to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3  and is not detachably connectable to the carrier of the third planetary gear set P 3  via the seventh shaft  7  and the third clutch  17 , and the sixth shaft  6  is not directly connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set P 3 , but instead is detachably connectable, via an additional shaft  7 ′, to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set P 3 , the additional shaft  7 ′ being detachably connected to the sixth shaft  6  by an additional clutch  67 —in the shift pattern per  FIG. 3 , the third clutch  17  is substituted by the additional clutch  67 . 
         [0046]    According to the invention, different gear increments can also result from the same gear pattern depending on the shift logic, thereby making it possible to realize an application-specific or vehicle-specific variation. 
         [0047]    According to the invention, it is possible to provide additional freewheels at each suitable location of the multi step transmission, for example between a shaft and the housing, or possibly to connect two shafts. 
         [0048]    According to the invention, an axle differential and/or a distributor differential can be disposed on the drive side or on the output side. 
         [0049]    Within the scope of an advantageous extended development, the drive shaft  1  can be separated from a drive motor, as needed, by a clutch element, wherein a hydrodynamic converter, a hydraulic clutch, a dry start-up clutch, a wet start-up clutch, a magnetic powder clutch, or a centrifugal clutch, can be used as the clutch element. It is also possible to dispose such a start-up element in the power flow direction behind the transmission wherein, in this case, the drive shaft  1  is permanently connected to the crankshaft of the engine. 
         [0050]    The multi step transmission, according to the invention, also makes it possible to situate a torsional vibration damper between the engine and the transmission. 
         [0051]    Within the scope of a further, not represented embodiment of the invention, a wear-free brake, for instance, a hydraulic or electric retarder or the like, can be disposed on each shaft, preferably on the drive shaft  1  or the output shaft  2 , which is particularly of special significance for use in commercial vehicles. Furthermore, a power take-off drive can be provided on each shaft, preferably on the drive shaft  1  or the output shaft  2 , for driving additional assemblies. 
         [0052]    The friction shift elements that are used, can be designed as power shiftable clutches or brakes. In particular, force-locking clutches or brakes can be used, for instance, lamellar clutches, band brakes, and/or cone clutches. 
         [0053]    A further advantage of the multi step transmission presented here, is that an electric machine can be attached to each shaft as a generator and/or as an additional drive machine. 
         [0054]    Obviously, any structural embodiment, in particular any spatial disposition of the planetary gear sets and the shift elements individually and relative to each other, and insofar as it is technically expedient, falls under the scope of protection of the present claims, without influencing the function of the transmission as specified in the claims, even if these embodiments are not explicitly represented in the figures or in the description. 
       REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
       [0000]    
       
           0  shaft 
           1  first shaft, drive shaft 
           2  second shaft, output shaft 
           3  third shaft 
           4  fourth shaft 
           5  fifth shaft 
           6  sixth shaft 
           7  seventh shaft 
           7 ′ additional shaft 
           8  eighth shaft 
           03  second brake 
           04  first brake 
           13  first clutch 
           17  third clutch 
           35  second clutch 
           58  fourth clutch 
           67  additional clutch 
         P 1  first platentary gear set 
         P 2  second platentary gear set 
         P 3  third platentary gear set 
         P 4  fourth platentary gear set 
         i transmission ratio 
         phi step change 
         G housing