Abstract:
A multi-stage transmission for a vehicle is provided that has at least nine forward shifting stages and one reverse shifting stage with a relatively small number of parts and a configuration such that an engine may be operated at desired operation points, thereby increasing fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the engine may be operated more quietly, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0034772, filed on Mar. 13, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to a multi-stage transmission for a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Recent rising oil prices have driven worldwide car manufacturers into unlimited competition to improve fuel efficiency. In addition, great efforts have been made to reduce the weight and improve the fuel efficiency of engines based on a variety of techniques such as downsizing, and similar measures. 
         [0005]    Meanwhile, among methods utilized for transmissions equipped in vehicles to improve fuel efficiency, there is a method allowing an engine to operate at more efficient operation points using the multi-staging of a transmission, thereby improving the fuel efficiency. 
         [0006]    Further, such the multi-staging of a transmission allows an engine to operate in a relatively low RPM (revolutions per minute) range. 
         [0007]    However, as the number of shifting stages of a transmission increases, the number of internal parts constituting the transmission also increases. This may lead to undesirable effects instead, such as the reduced mountability and transfer efficiency and the increased cost and weight of the transmission. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present disclosure provides a multi-stage transmission for a vehicle that has at least nine forward shifting stages and one reverse shifting stage with a relatively small number of parts and a simple configuration such that an engine may be operated at desired operation points, thereby providing an improvement in the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the engine may be operated more quietly, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle. 
         [0009]    According to one form of the present disclosure, there is provided a multi-stage transmission for a vehicle including: an input shaft; an output shaft; a first to fourth planetary gear devices disposed between the input shaft and the output shaft to transmit rotary force. Each of the first to fourth planetary gear devices has three rotary elements, and at least six shifting elements connected to the rotary elements of the planetary gear devices. A first rotary element of the first planetary gear device may be installed to be fixed, a second rotary element of the first planetary gear device may stay connected to a third rotary element of the second planetary gear device, and a third rotary element of the first planetary gear device may be variably connected to a second rotary element of the second planetary gear device and stays connected to a first rotary element of the third planetary gear device and a first rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device. A first rotary element of the second planetary gear device may be variably connected to the input shaft, and the second rotary element of the second planetary gear device may be installed to be selectively fixable by one shifting element of the at least six shifting elements and variably connected to the input shaft. A second rotary element of the third planetary gear device may stay connected to the output shaft, and a third rotary element of the third planetary gear device may be installed to be selectively fixable by another of the at least six shifting elements. A second rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device may be configured to be selectively connected to the input shaft, and a third rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device may be configured to secure a state at least even temporarily connected to the output shaft. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the multi-stage transmission includes a first to fourth planetary gear devices having three rotary elements, respectively; six shifting elements configured to variably provide frictional force; and a first to eighth rotary shafts connected to the rotary elements of the first to fourth planetary gear devices. The first rotary shaft may be an input shaft. The second rotary shaft may be directly connected to a second rotary element of the second planetary gear device. The third rotary shaft may be directly connected to a second rotary element of the first planetary gear device and a third rotary element of the second planetary gear device. The fourth rotary shaft may be directly connected to a third rotary element of the first planetary gear device, a first rotary element of the third planetary gear device and a first rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device. The fifth rotary shaft may be directly connected to a first rotary element of the second planetary gear device. The sixth rotary shaft may be directly connected to a third rotary element of the third planetary gear device. The seventh rotary shaft may be a second rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device. And the eighth rotary shaft may be an output shaft directly connected to a second rotary element of the third planetary gear device and a third rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device. The six shifting elements may include first to fourth clutches and first and second brakes. The first clutch may be disposed between the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft. The second clutch may be disposed between the second rotary shaft and the fourth rotary shaft. The third clutch may be disposed between the first rotary shaft and the fifth rotary shaft. The fourth clutch may be disposed between the first rotary shaft and the seventh rotary shaft. The first brake may be disposed between the second rotary shaft and a transmission case, and the second brake may be disposed between the sixth rotary shaft and the transmission case. 
         [0011]    According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, is a multi-stage transmission for a vehicle including a first to fourth planetary gear devices having three rotary elements, respectively. Six shifting elements configured to variably provide frictional force, and a first to eighth rotary shafts connected to the rotary elements of the first to fourth planetary gear devices. The first rotary shaft may be an input shaft. The second rotary shaft may be directly connected to a second rotary element of the second planetary gear device. The third rotary shaft may be directly connected to a second rotary element of the first planetary gear device and a third rotary element of the second planetary gear device. The fourth rotary shaft may be directly connected to a third rotary element of the first planetary gear device, a first rotary element of the third planetary gear device and a first rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device. The fifth rotary shaft may be directly connected to a first rotary element of the second planetary gear device. The sixth rotary shaft may be directly connected to a third rotary element of the third planetary gear device. The seventh rotary shaft may be directly connected to a third rotary element of the fourth planetary gear device. The eighth rotary shaft may be an output shaft directly connected to a second rotary element of the third planetary gear device. The six shifting elements may include first to fourth clutches and first and second brakes. The first clutch may be disposed between the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft. The second clutch may be disposed between the second rotary shaft and the fourth rotary shaft. The third clutch may be disposed between the first rotary shaft and the fifth rotary shaft. The fourth clutch may be disposed between the seventh rotary shaft and the eighth rotary shaft. The first brake may be disposed between the second rotary shaft and a transmission case, and the second brake may be disposed between the sixth rotary shaft and the transmission case. 
         [0012]    According to the present disclosure, as set forth above, the multi-stage transmission for a vehicle can realize at least nine forward shifting stages and one reverse shifting stage with a relatively small number of parts and a configuration such that the engine may be operated at desired operation points, thereby maximizing an improvement in the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the engine may be operated more quietly, thereby improving the quietness of the vehicle. 
         [0013]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a multi-stage transmission for a vehicle according to one form of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates an operation mode table of the transmission shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a multi-stage transmission for a vehicle according to another form of the present disclosure; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates an operation mode table of the transmission shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0020]    A multi-stage transmission for a vehicle according to a first and second exemplary embodiments of the present invention may commonly include an input shaft “IN”; an output shaft “OUT”; a first to fourth planetary gear devices “PG 1 ”, “PG 2 ”, “PG 3 ” and “PG 4 ” disposed between the input shaft “IN” and the output shaft “OUT” to transmit rotary force, each of the first to fourth planetary gear devices PG 1 , PG 2 , PG 3  and PG 4  has three rotary elements, and at least six shifting elements, e.g. clutches CL 1 -CL 6 , connected to rotary elements of the first to fourth planetary gear devices PG 1 -PG 4 . 
         [0021]    A first rotary element S 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  may be selectively fixed to a transmission case CS. A second rotary element C 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  may stay connected to a third rotary element R 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . A third rotary element R 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  may be variably connected, (i.e., is selectively, intermittently connected) to a second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  and stays connected to a first rotary element S 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  and a first rotary element S 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . 
         [0022]    A first rotary element S 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  may be variably connected to the input shaft IN, and the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  may be installed to be selectively fixable by one shifting element of the at least six shifting elements and variably connected to the input shaft IN. 
         [0023]    A second rotary element C 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  may stay connected to the output shaft OUT, and a third rotary element R 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  may be installed to be selectively fixable by another shifting element of the at least six shifting elements. 
         [0024]    A second rotary element C 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may be configured to be selectively connected to the input shaft IN, and a third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may be configured to secure a state at least even temporarily connected to the output shaft OUT. 
         [0025]    The first planetary gear device PG 1 , the second planetary gear device PG 2 , the third planetary gear device PG 3  and the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may be sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the input shaft IN and the output shaft OUT. 
         [0026]    The second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  may be installed to be selectively fixable to a transmission case CS by means of a first brake B 1  from among the at least six shifting elements. The third rotary element R 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  may be installed to be selectively fixable to the transmission case CS by means of a second brake B 2  from among the at least six shifting elements. 
         [0027]    Therefore, the first brake B 1  and the second brake B 2  function as brakes, respectively, such that the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  and the third rotary element R 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  may be in a rotatable state, or in a restrained state, not able to rotate by means of the operations of the first brake B 1  and the second brake B 2 , respectively. 
         [0028]    The other shifting elements from among the at least six shifting elements may be configured to constitute variable connection structures between the rotary elements of the planetary gear devices and between the rotary elements of the planetary gear devices and the input shaft IN. 
         [0029]    The configurations described above form the common configurations of the first form and the second form. In the first form shown in  FIG. 1 , the second rotary element C 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may be variably connected to the input shaft IN by still another of the at least six shifting elements, and the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may stay connected to the output shaft OUT. 
         [0030]    That is, the first clutch CL 1  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  and the input shaft IN. The second clutch CL 2  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the third rotary element R 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  and the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The third clutch CL 3  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the first rotary element S 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  and the input shaft IN. The fourth clutch CL 4  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the second rotary element C 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  and the input shaft IN. 
         [0031]    Meanwhile, in the second exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the second rotary element C 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may stay connected to the input shaft IN, and the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  may be variably connected to the output shaft OUT by still another shifting element of the at least six shifting elements. 
         [0032]    That is, the first clutch CL 1  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  and the input shaft IN. The second clutch CL 2  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the third rotary element R 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  and the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The third clutch CL 3  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the first rotary element S 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  and the input shaft IN. The fourth clutch CL 4  from among the at least six shifting elements may form a variable connection structure between the second rotary element C 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  and the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . As a result, the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  is to be variably connected to the output shaft OUT. 
         [0033]    In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the first rotary element S 1 , the second rotary element C 1  and the third rotary element R 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  are a first sun gear, a first carrier and a first ring gear, respectively. The first rotary element S 2 , the second rotary element C 2  and the third rotary element R 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2  are a second sun gear, a second carrier and a second ring gear, respectively. The first rotary element S 3 , the second rotary element C 3  and the third rotary element R 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  are a third sun gear, a third carrier and a third ring gear, respectively. The first rotary element S 4 , the second rotary element C 4  and the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4  are a fourth sun gear, a fourth carrier and a fourth ring gear, respectively. 
         [0034]    The forms of the transmission configured as above may also be presented as follows. Specifically, the multi-stage transmission for a vehicle according to the one form of the present disclosure may include the first to fourth planetary gear devices PG 1 , PG 2 , PG 3 , and PG 4  each having three rotary elements, the six shifting elements configured to variably provide frictional force, and the eight rotary shafts connected to the rotary elements of the first to fourth planetary gear devices. 
         [0035]    Hence, from among the eight rotary shafts, the first rotary shaft RS 1  may be the input shaft IN. The second rotary shaft RS 2  may be directly connected to the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The third rotary shaft RS 3  may be directly connected to the second rotary element C 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  and the third rotary element R 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The fourth rotary shaft RS 4  may be directly connected to the third rotary element R 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1 , the first rotary element S 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  and the first rotary element S 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . The fifth rotary shaft RS 5  may be directly connected to the first rotary element S 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The sixth rotary shaft RS 6  may be directly connected to the third rotary element R 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3 . The seventh rotary shaft RS 7  may be directly connected to the second rotary element C 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . The eighth rotary shaft RS 8  may be the output shaft OUT directly connected to the second rotary element C 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  and the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . 
         [0036]    In addition, from among the six shifting elements, the first clutch CL 1  may be disposed between the first rotary shaft RS 1  and the second rotary shaft RS 2 . The second clutch CL 2  may be disposed between the second rotary shaft RS 2  and the fourth rotary shaft RS 4 . The third clutch CL 3  may be disposed between the first rotary shaft RS 1  and the fifth rotary shaft RS 5 . The fourth clutch CL 4  may be disposed between the first rotary shaft RS 1  and the seventh rotary shaft RS 7 . The first brake B 1  may be disposed between the second rotary shaft RS 2  and the transmission case CS. The second brake B 2  may be disposed between the sixth rotary shaft RS 6  and the transmission case CS. 
         [0037]    Meanwhile, the multi-stage transmission for a vehicle according to the second form of the present disclosure may include the first to fourth planetary gear devices PG 1 , PG 2 , PG 3 , and PG 4  each have three rotary elements; the six shifting elements configured to variably provide frictional force, and the eight rotary shafts connected to the rotary elements of the first to fourth planetary gear devices. 
         [0038]    Hence, from among the eight rotary shafts, the first rotary shaft RS 1  may be the input shaft IN. The second rotary shaft RS 2  may be directly connected to the second rotary element C 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The third rotary shaft RS 3  may be directly connected to the second rotary element C 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1  and the third rotary element R 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The fourth rotary shaft RS 4  may be directly connected to the third rotary element R 1  of the first planetary gear device PG 1 , the first rotary element S 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3  and the first rotary element S 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . The fifth rotary shaft RS 5  may be directly connected to the first rotary element S 2  of the second planetary gear device PG 2 . The sixth rotary shaft RS 6  may be directly connected to the third rotary element R 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3 . The seventh rotary shaft RS 7  may be directly connected to the third rotary element R 4  of the fourth planetary gear device PG 4 . The eighth rotary shaft RS 8  may be the output shaft OUT directly connected to the second rotary element C 3  of the third planetary gear device PG 3 . 
         [0039]    In addition, from among the six shifting elements, the first clutch CL 1  may be disposed between the first rotary shaft RS 1  and the second rotary shaft RS 2 . The second clutch CL 2  may be disposed between the second rotary shaft RS 2  and the fourth rotary shaft RS 4 . The third clutch CL 3  may be disposed between the first rotary shaft RS 1  and the fifth rotary shaft RS 5 . The fourth clutch CL 4  may be disposed between the seventh rotary shaft RS 7  and the eighth rotary shaft RS 8 . The first brake B 1  may be disposed between the second rotary shaft RS 2  and the transmission case CS. The second brake B 2  may be disposed between the sixth rotary shaft RS 6  and the transmission case CS. 
         [0040]    As set forth above, the multi-stage transmission for a vehicle according to the present disclosure includes the four planetary gear devices PG 1 , PG 2 , PG 3 , PG 4  and the six shifting elements configured to form nine forward shifting stages and one reverse shifting stage according to the operation mode table, as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , respectively. Since the multi-stage transmission is configured to form nine shifting stages and the high gear efficiency of a planetary gear for each shifting stage can reach 98.8% a relatively small number of parts and a simple configuration, the multi-stage transmission for a vehicle can contribute to the improved fuel efficiency and quietness of a vehicle, thereby ultimately improving the marketability of the vehicle. 
         [0041]    Forms described may be changed or modified by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and various alterations and modifications are possible within the technical spirit of the present disclosure and the equivalent scope of the claims which will be described below.