# Patent

## Title
Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle

## Abstract

A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The planetary gear train may include: an input shaft receiving torque of an engine; an output shaft outputting changed torque; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0007779, filed on Jan. 21, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an automatic transmission for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Generally, an automatic transmission achieving more speed stages has been developed to enhance fuel economy and improve drivability.
Such an automatic transmission achieving more speed stages is necessary to improve power performance and driving efficiency according to downsizing of an engine. Particularly, it is desired to develop high efficiency multiple-speeds transmissions having excellent linearity of step ratios that can be used as an index closely related to drivability such as acceleration before and after shift and rhythmical engine speed.
However, in the automatic transmission, as the number of speed stages increase, the number of internal components increase, and as a result, mountability, cost, weight, transmission efficiency, and the like may still deteriorate.
Accordingly, development of a planetary gear train which may achieve maximum efficiency with a small number of components is desired in order to increase a fuel efficiency enhancement effect through the multiple-speeds.
In this aspect, in recent years, 8-speed automatic transmissions tend to be implemented and the research and development of a planetary gear train capable of implementing more speed stages has also been actively conducted.
However, since a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission has gear ratio span of 6.5-7.5 (gear ratio span is an important factor for securing linearity of step ratios), improvement of power performance and fuel economy may not be great.
In addition, if a 8-speed automatic transmission has gear ratio span larger than 9.0, it is hard to secure linearity of step ratios. Therefore, driving efficiency of an engine and drivability of a vehicle may be deteriorated, and thus, development of high efficiency automatic transmissions which achieve at least nine forward speed stages is desired.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle having advantages of improving power delivery performance and fuel economy by achieving ten forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage, and widening gear ratio span and of securing linearity of step ratios.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle having advantages of maintaining durability of pinion shafts by avoiding applying load to planet carriers at stopped states when the vehicle runs at a high speed stage.
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an input shaft receiving torque of an engine; an output shaft outputting changed torque; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements; a first shaft connecting the first rotation element to the fourth rotation element; a second shaft connected to the second rotation element and directly connected to the input shaft; a third shaft connecting the third rotation element to the tenth rotation element; a fourth shaft connected to the fifth rotation element and selectively connected to the second shaft; a fifth shaft connecting the sixth rotation element to the ninth rotation element and selectively connected to the second shaft; and a sixth shaft connecting the seventh rotation element to the twelfth rotation element.
The first shaft, fourth shaft and sixth shaft may be selectively connected to a transmission housing.
The planetary gear train may further include: a seventh shaft connected to the eighth rotation element and selectively connected to the third shaft; and an eighth shaft connected to the eleventh rotation element, selectively connected to the seventh shaft, and directly connected to the output shaft.
The first, second, and third rotation elements of the first planetary gear set may be a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear, the fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements of the second planetary gear set may be a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear, the seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements of the third planetary gear set may be a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear, and a tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements of the fourth planetary gear set may be a fourth sun gear, a fourth planet carrier, and a fourth ring gear, respectively.
In some aspects, the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets may be disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set, the first planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.
In some aspects, the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets may be disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.
In some aspects, the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets may be disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the fourth planetary gear set, and the third planetary gear set from the engine.
The planetary gear train may further include: a first clutch selectively connecting the seventh shaft to the eighth shaft; a second clutch selectively connecting the second shaft to the fifth shaft; a third clutch selectively connecting the second shaft to the fourth shaft; a fourth clutch selectively connecting the third shaft to the seventh shaft; a first brake selectively connecting the first shaft to the transmission housing; a second brake selectively connecting the sixth shaft to the transmission housing; and a third brake selectively connecting the fourth shaft to the transmission housing.
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an input shaft receiving torque of an engine; an output shaft outputting changed torque; a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements; a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements; a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; and a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements, wherein the input shaft is directly connected to the second rotation element, the output shaft is directly connected to the eleventh rotation element, the first rotation element is directly connected to the fourth rotation element and is selectively connected to a transmission housing, the third rotation element is directly connected to the tenth rotation element, the sixth rotation element is directly connected to the ninth rotation element, the seventh rotation element is directly connected to the twelfth rotation element and is selectively connected to the transmission housing, and the fifth rotation element is selectively connected to the transmission housing.
The eleventh rotation element may be selectively connected to the eighth rotation element, the second rotation element may be selectively connected to the sixth rotation element, the second rotation element may be selectively connected to the fifth rotation element, and the third rotation element may be selectively connected to the eighth rotation element.
The first, second, and third rotation elements of the first planetary gear set may be a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear, the fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements of the second planetary gear set may be a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear, the seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements of the third planetary gear set may be a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear, and a tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements of the fourth planetary gear set may be a fourth sun gear, a fourth planet carrier, and a fourth ring gear, respectively.
In some aspects, the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets may be disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set, the first planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.
In some aspects, the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets may be disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.
In some aspects, the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets may be disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the fourth planetary gear set, and the third planetary gear set from the engine.
The planetary gear train may further include: a first clutch selectively connecting the eleventh rotation element to the eighth rotation element; a second clutch selectively connecting the second rotation element to the sixth rotation element; a third clutch selectively connecting the second rotation element to the fifth rotation element; a fourth clutch selectively connecting the third rotation element to the eighth rotation element; a first brake selectively connecting the first rotation element and the fourth rotation element to the transmission housing; a second brake selectively connecting the seventh rotation element and the twelfth rotation element to the transmission housing; and a third brake selectively connecting the fifth rotation element to the transmission housing.
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may achieve at least ten forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage by combining four planetary gear sets being simple planetary gear sets with seven control elements.
In addition, since gear ratio span greater than 10.0 is secured, driving efficiency of the engine may be maximized.
In addition, since linearity of step ratios can be secured due to multiple speed stages, drivability such as acceleration before and after shift, rhythmical engine speed, and so on may be improved.
In addition, durability of pinion shafts connected to pinion gears may be maintained due to smooth lubrication by avoiding applying load to planet carriers at stopped states when the vehicle runs at a high forward speed stage.
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
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:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an operation chart of control elements at each speed stage in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is another operation chart of control elements at each speed stage in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.



DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
B1, B2, B3: first, second, and third brakes
C1, C2, C3, C4: first, second, third, and fourth clutches
PG1, PG2, PG3, PG4: first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets
S1, S2, S3, S4: first, second, third, and fourth sun gears
PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4: first, second, third, and fourth planet carriers
R1, R2, R3, R4: first, second, third, and fourth ring gears
IS: input shaft OS: output shaft
TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4, TM5, TM6, TM7, TM8: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth shafts
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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.
However, parts which are not related with the description are omitted for clearly describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and like reference numerals refer to like or similar elements throughout the specification.
In the following description, dividing names of components into first, second, and the like is to divide the names because the names of the components are the same as each other and an order thereof is not particularly limited.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 1, a planetary gear train includes first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4 disposed on the same axis, an input shaft IS, an output shaft OS, eight shafts TM1 to TM8 connected to at least one of rotation elements of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4, four clutches C1 to C4 and three brakes B1 to B3 that are control elements, and a transmission housing H.
Torque input from the input shaft IS is changed by cooperation of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4, and the changed torque is output through the output shaft OS.
Herein, the planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the second, first, third, and fourth planetary gear sets PG2, PG1, PG3, and PG4 from an engine.
The input shaft IS is an input member and torque from a crankshaft of the engine is torque-converted through a torque converter to be input into the input shaft IS.
The output shaft OS is an output member, which is disposed in parallel with the input shaft IS, and transmits driving torque to a driving wheel through a differential apparatus (e.g., a differential gear).
The first planetary gear set PG1 is a single pinion planetary gear set and includes a first sun gear S1, a first planet carrier PC1 rotatably supporting a first pinion P1 that is externally meshed with the first sun gear S1, and a first ring gear R1 that is internally meshed with the first pinion P1 respectively as first, second, and third rotation elements N1, N2, and N3.
The second planetary gear set PG2 is a single pinion planetary gear set and includes a second sun gear S2, a second planet carrier PC2 rotatably supporting a second pinion P2 that is externally meshed with the second sun gear S2, and a second ring gear R2 that is internally meshed with the second pinion P2 respectively as fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements N4, N5, and N6.
The third planetary gear set PG3 is a single pinion planetary gear set and includes a third sun gear S3, a third planet carrier PC3 rotatably supporting a third pinion P3 that is externally meshed with the third sun gear S3, and a third ring gear R3 that is internally meshed with the third pinion P3 respectively as seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements N7, N8, and N9.
The fourth planetary gear set PG4 is a single pinion planetary gear set and includes a fourth sun gear S4, a fourth planet carrier PC4 rotatably supporting a fourth pinion P4 that is externally meshed with the fourth sun gear S4, and a fourth ring gear R4 that is internally meshed with the fourth pinion P4 respectively as tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements N10, N11, and N12.
The first rotation element N1 and the fourth rotation element N4 are directly connected to each other, the third rotation element N3 and the tenth rotation element N10 are directly connected to each other, the sixth rotation element N6 and the ninth rotation element N9 are directly connected to each other, and the seventh rotation element N7 and the twelfth rotation element N12 are directly connected to each other through four shafts among the eight shafts TM1 to TM8.
The eight shafts TM1 to TM8 will be described in further detail.
The eight shafts TM1 to TM8 directly connects a plurality of rotation elements among the rotation elements of the planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4, are rotation members that are directly connected to any one rotation element of the planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4 and rotate with the any one rotation element to transmit torque, or are fixed members that directly connect any one rotation element of the planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4 to the transmission housing H to fix the any one rotation element.
The first shaft TM1 directly connects the first rotation element N1 (first sun gear S1) to the fourth rotation element N4 (second sun gear S2) and is selectively connected to the transmission housing H.
The second shaft TM2 is connected to the second rotation element N2 (first planet carrier PC1) and is directly connected to the input shaft IS.
The third shaft TM3 directly connects the third rotation element N3 (first ring gear R1) to the tenth rotation element N10 (fourth sun gear S4).
The fourth shaft TM4 is connected to the fifth rotation element N5 (second planet carrier PC2) and is selectively connected to the second shaft TM2 or the transmission housing H.
The fifth shaft TM5 directly connects the sixth rotation element N6 (second ring gear R2) to the ninth rotation element N9 (third ring gear R3) and is selectively connected to the second shaft TM2.
The sixth shaft TM6 directly connects the seventh rotation element N7 (third sun gear S3) to the twelfth rotation element N12 (fourth ring gear R4) and is selectively connected to the transmission housing H.
The seventh shaft TM7 is connected to the eighth rotation element N8 (third planet carrier PC3) and is selectively connected to the third shaft TM3.
The eighth shaft TM8 is connected to the eleventh rotation element N11 (fourth planet carrier PC4), is selectively connected to the seventh shaft TM7, and is directly connected to the output shaft OS.
In addition, four clutches C1, C2, C3, and C4 are disposed at portions at which any two shafts among the eight shafts TM1 to TM8 are selectively connected to each other.
In addition, three brakes B1, B2, and B3 are disposed at portions at which any one shaft among the eight shafts TM1 to TM8 is selectively connected to the transmission housing H.
Arrangements of the four clutches C1 to C4 and the three brakes B1 to B3 are described in detail.
The first clutch C1 is disposed between the seventh shaft TM7 and the eighth shaft TM8 and selectively connects the seventh shaft TM7 to the eighth shaft TM8.
The second clutch C2 is disposed between the second shaft TM2 and the fifth shaft TM5 and selectively connects the second shaft TM2 to the fifth shaft TM5.
The third clutch C3 is disposed between the second shaft TM2 and the fourth shaft TM4 and selectively connects the second shaft TM2 to the fourth shaft TM4.
The fourth clutch C4 is disposed between the third shaft TM3 and the seventh shaft TM7 and selectively connects the third shaft TM3 to the seventh shaft TM7.
The first brake B1 is disposed between the first shaft TM1 and the transmission housing H and selectively connects the first shaft TM1 to the transmission housing H.
The second brake B2 is disposed between the sixth shaft TM6 and the transmission housing H and selectively connects the sixth shaft TM6 to the transmission housing H.
The third brake B3 is disposed between the fourth shaft TM4 and the transmission housing H and selectively connects the fourth shaft TM4 to the transmission housing H.
The control elements including the first, second, third, and fourth clutches C1, C2, C3, and C4 and the first, second, and third brakes B1, B2, and B3 may be multi-plates friction elements of wet type that are operated by hydraulic pressure.
FIG. 2 is an operation chart of control elements at each speed stage in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 2, three control elements among the first, second, third, and fourth clutches C1, C2, C3, and C4 and the first, second, and third brakes B1, B2, and B3 that are control elements are operated at each speed stage in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The first exemplary embodiment can achieve one reverse speed stage and ten forward speed stages and shifting processes will be described in detail.
The second and fourth clutches C2 and C4 and the second brake B2 are simultaneously operated at a first forward speed stage D1. In a state that the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2 and the third shaft TM3 is connected to the seventh shaft TM7 by operation of the fourth clutch C4, torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second shaft TM2 and the sixth shaft TM6 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the second brake B2. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the first forward speed stage, and the first forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The second and third clutches C2 and C3 and the second brake B2 are simultaneously operated at a second forward speed stage D2. In a state that the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2 and the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fourth shaft TM4 by operation of the third clutch C3, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second shaft TM2 and the sixth shaft TM6 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the second brake B2. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the second forward speed stage, and the second forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The second clutch C2 and the first and second brakes B1 and B2 are simultaneously operated at a third forward speed stage D3. In a state that the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second shaft TM2, and the first shaft TM1 and the sixth shaft TM6 are operated as fixed elements by operation of the first and second brakes B1 and B2. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the third forward speed stage, and the third forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The first and second clutches C1 and C2 and the second brake B2 are simultaneously operated at a fourth forward speed stage D4. In a state that the seventh shaft TM7 is connected to the eighth shaft TM8 by operation of the first clutch C1 and the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second shaft TM2 and the sixth shaft TM6 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the second brake B2. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the fourth forward speed stage, and the fourth forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The first and second clutches C1 and C2 and the first brake B1 are simultaneously operated at a fifth forward speed stage D5. In a state that the seventh shaft TM7 is connected to the eighth shaft TM8 by operation of the first clutch C1 and the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second input shaft TM2 and the first shaft TM1 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the first brake B1. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the fifth forward speed stage, and the fifth forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The first, second, and third clutches C1, C2, and C3 are simultaneously operated at a sixth forward speed stage D6. The seventh shaft TM7 is connected to the eighth shaft TM8 by operation of the first clutch C1, the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2, and the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fourth shaft TM4 by operation of the third clutch C3 such that all the planetary gear sets can rotate as one body. Therefore, the sixth forward speed stage where the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted through the second input shaft TM2 is output without speed change is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The first and third clutches C1 and C3 and the first brake B1 are simultaneously operated at a seventh forward speed stage D7. In a state that the seventh shaft TM7 is connected to the eighth shaft TM8 by operation of the first clutch C1 and the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fourth shaft TM4 by operation of the third clutch C3, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second input shaft TM2 and the first shaft TM1 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the first brake B1. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the seventh forward speed stage, and the seventh forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The first and fourth clutches C1 and C4 and the first brake B1 are simultaneously operated at an eighth forward speed stage D8. In a state that the seventh shaft TM7 is connected to the eighth shaft TM8 by operation of the first clutch C1 and the third shaft TM3 is connected to the seventh shaft TM7 by operation of the fourth clutch C4, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second input shaft TM2 and the first shaft TM1 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the first brake B1. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the eighth forward speed stage, and the eighth forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The third and fourth clutches C3 and C4 and the first brake B1 are simultaneously operated at a ninth forward speed stage D9. In a state that the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fourth shaft TM4 by operation of the third clutch C3 and the third shaft TM3 is connected to the seventh shaft TM7 by operation of the fourth clutch C4, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second input shaft TM2 and the first shaft TM1 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the first brake B1. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the ninth forward speed stage, and the ninth forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The second and fourth clutches C2 and C4 and the first brake B1 are simultaneously operated at a tenth forward speed stage D10. In a state that the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fifth shaft TM5 by operation of the second clutch C2 and the third shaft TM3 is connected to the seventh shaft TM7 by operation of the fourth clutch C4, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second input shaft TM2 and the first shaft TM1 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the first brake B1. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the tenth forward speed stage, and the tenth forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
The fourth clutch C4 and the second and third brakes B2 and B3 are simultaneously operated at a reverse speed stage REV. In a state that the third shaft TM3 is connected to the seventh shaft TM7 by operation of the fourth clutch C4, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second input shaft TM2 and the sixth shaft TM6 and the fourth shaft TM4 are operated as fixed elements by operation of the second and third brakes B2 and B3. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the reverse speed stage, and the reverse speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
FIG. 3 is another operation chart of control elements at each speed stage in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 3, the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve one reverse speed stage and eleven forward speed stages.
That is, a speed stage that is achieved by operating the third and fourth clutches C3 and C4 and the second brake B2 is set as a new first forward speed stage D1, and the first forward speed stage to the tenth forward speed stage D1 to D10 illustrated in FIG. 2 are set as a new second forward speed stage to a new eleventh forward speed stage D2 to D11. Since shifting processes from the second forward speed stage to the eleventh forward speed stage D2 to D11 are described above, shifting process of the first forward speed stage D1 will be described.
The third and fourth clutches C3 and C4 and the second brake B2 are simultaneously operated at the first forward speed stage D1 in FIG. 3. In a state that the second shaft TM2 is connected to the fourth shaft TM4 by operation of the third clutch C3 and the third shaft TM3 is connected to the seventh shaft TM7 by operation of the fourth clutch C4, the torque of the input shaft IS is inputted to the second shaft TM2 and the sixth shaft TM6 is operated as a fixed element by operation of the second brake B2. Therefore, the torque of the input shaft IS is shifted into the first forward speed stage, and the first forward speed stage is output through the eighth shaft TM8.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
The planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set PG2, the first planetary gear set PG1, the third planetary gear set PG3, and the fourth planetary gear set PG4 from the engine in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but, as shown in FIG. 4, the planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set PG1, the second planetary gear set PG2, the third planetary gear set PG3, and the fourth planetary gear set PG4 from the engine in the planetary gear train according to the second exemplary embodiment.
Since connections between the rotation elements of the planetary gear sets and operation of the control elements according to the second exemplary embodiment are the same as those according to the first exemplary embodiment, however, the planetary gear train according to the second exemplary embodiment achieves the same speed stages and shifting processes as those according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
The planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set PG2, the first planetary gear set PG1, the third planetary gear set PG3, and the fourth planetary gear set PG4 from the engine in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but, as shown in FIG. 5, the planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set PG1, the second planetary gear set PG2, the fourth planetary gear set PG4, and the third planetary gear set PG3 in the planetary gear train according to the third exemplary embodiment.
Since connections between the rotation elements of the planetary gear sets and operation of the control elements according to the third exemplary embodiment are the same as those according to the first exemplary embodiment, however, the planetary gear train according to the third exemplary embodiment achieves the same speed stages and shifting processes as those according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear train according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
The planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set PG2, the first planetary gear set PG1, the third planetary gear set PG3, and the fourth planetary gear set PG4 from the engine in the planetary gear train according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, but, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set PG1, the second planetary gear set PG2, the third planetary gear set PG3, and the fourth planetary gear set PG4 in the planetary gear trains according to the fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments.
Since connections between the rotation elements of the planetary gear sets and operation of the control elements according to the fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments are the same as those according to the first exemplary embodiment, however, the planetary gear trains according to the fourth and fifth exemplary embodiments achieve the same speed stages and shifting processes as those according to the first exemplary embodiment.
The planetary gear trains according to the first to the fifth exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may achieve at least ten forward speed stages and one reverse speed stage by combining four planetary gear sets PG1, PG2, PG3, and PG4 with the four clutches C1, C2, C3, and C4 and the three brakes B1, B2, and B3.
In addition, since gear ratio span greater than 10.0 is secured, driving efficiency of the engine may be improved.
In addition, since linearity of step ratios can be secured due to multiple speed stages, drivability such as acceleration before and after shift, rhythmical engine speed, and so on may be improved.
In addition, durability of pinion shafts connected to pinion gears may be maintained due to smooth lubrication by avoiding applying load to planet carriers at stopped states when the vehicle runs at a high forward speed stage (higher than or equal to the seventh forward speed stage).
While this present disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

## Claims

1. A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle comprising:
an input shaft receiving torque of an engine;
an output shaft outputting changed torque;
a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements;
a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements;
a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements;
a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements;
a first shaft connecting the first rotation element to the fourth rotation element;
a second shaft connected to the second rotation element and directly connected to the input shaft;
a third shaft connecting the third rotation element to the tenth rotation element;
a fourth shaft connected to the fifth rotation element and selectively connected to the second shaft;
a fifth shaft connecting the sixth rotation element to the ninth rotation element and selectively connected to the second shaft; and
a sixth shaft connecting the seventh rotation element to the twelfth rotation element.

2. The planetary gear train of claim 1, wherein the first shaft, fourth shaft and sixth shaft are selectively connected to a transmission housing,
wherein the planetary gear train further comprises:
a seventh shaft connected to the eighth rotation element and selectively connected to the third shaft; and
an eighth shaft connected to the eleventh rotation element, selectively connected to the seventh shaft, and directly connected to the output shaft.

3. The planetary gear train of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third rotation elements of the first planetary gear set are a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear,
the fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements of the second planetary gear set are a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear,
the seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements of the third planetary gear set are a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear, and
a tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements of the fourth planetary gear set are a fourth sun gear, a fourth planet carrier, and a fourth ring gear, respectively.

4. The planetary gear train of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set, the first planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.

5. The planetary gear train of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.

6. The planetary gear train of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the fourth planetary gear set, and the third planetary gear set from the engine.

7. The planetary gear train of claim 2, further comprising:
a first clutch selectively connecting the seventh shaft to the eighth shaft;
a second clutch selectively connecting the second shaft to the fifth shaft;
a third clutch selectively connecting the second shaft to the fourth shaft;
a fourth clutch selectively connecting the third shaft to the seventh shaft;
a first brake selectively connecting the first shaft to the transmission housing;
a second brake selectively connecting the sixth shaft to the transmission housing; and
a third brake selectively connecting the fourth shaft to the transmission housing.

8. A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle comprising:
an input shaft receiving torque of an engine;
an output shaft outputting changed torque;
a first planetary gear set including first, second, and third rotation elements;
a second planetary gear set including fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements;
a third planetary gear set including seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements; and
a fourth planetary gear set including tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements,
wherein the input shaft is directly connected to the second rotation element,
the output shaft is directly connected to the eleventh rotation element,
the first rotation element is directly connected to the fourth rotation element and is selectively connected to a transmission housing,
the third rotation element is directly connected to the tenth rotation element,
the sixth rotation element is directly connected to the ninth rotation element,
the seventh rotation element is directly connected to the twelfth rotation element and is selectively connected to the transmission housing, and
the fifth rotation element is selectively connected to the transmission housing.

9. The planetary gear train of claim 8, wherein the eleventh rotation element is selectively connected to the eighth rotation element,
the second rotation element is selectively connected to the sixth rotation element,
the second rotation element is selectively connected to the fifth rotation element, and
the third rotation element is selectively connected to the eighth rotation element.

10. The planetary gear train of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third rotation elements of the first planetary gear set are a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear,
the fourth, fifth, and sixth rotation elements of the second planetary gear set are a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear,
the seventh, eighth, and ninth rotation elements of the third planetary gear set are a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear, and
the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth rotation elements of the fourth planetary gear set are a fourth sun gear, a fourth planet carrier, and a fourth ring gear, respectively.

11. The planetary gear train of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the second planetary gear set, the first planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.

12. The planetary gear train of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the third planetary gear set, and the fourth planetary gear set from the engine.

13. The planetary gear train of claim 8, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets are disposed in a sequence of the first planetary gear set, the second planetary gear set, the fourth planetary gear set, and the third planetary gear set from the engine.

14. The planetary gear train of claim 9, further comprising:
a first clutch selectively connecting the eleventh rotation element to the eighth rotation element;
a second clutch selectively connecting the second rotation element to the sixth rotation element;
a third clutch selectively connecting the second rotation element to the fifth rotation element;
a fourth clutch selectively connecting the third rotation element to the eighth rotation element;
a first brake selectively connecting the first rotation element and the fourth rotation element to the transmission housing;
a second brake selectively connecting the seventh rotation element and the twelfth rotation element to the transmission housing; and
a third brake selectively connecting the fifth rotation element to the transmission housing.