Patent GB-1483727-A (GB)
Title: Compound epicyclic transmission systems
IPC: F16H3/66
Filed: 1973-08-17
Abstract: 1483727 Change-speed gear VOLVO AB 16 Aug 1974 [17 Aug 1973] 38957/73 Heading F2D A main planetary change speed gear G, providing at least two reduction ratios by selectively braking reaction members, e.g. B1, B2, B3, is driven through a direct-indirect supplementary two-speed gear D0, shown also as planetary, and in one overall ratio a clutch C1 establishes a drive from the supplementary gear in its indirect ratio to one, B3, of the said main gear reaction members, whilst simultaneously a second clutch C3 establishes a direct drive connection from the input I of the supplementary gear to the input X of the main gear. The ratio thus provided is a torque-split overall ratio which lies between unity and the indirec t  supplementary ratio, and has a value less than the square root of the said indirect ratio. The indirect ratio of the supplementary gear D0 may as shown in Fig. 1, be overdrive, or underdrive (Fig. 2, not shown), and intermeshed planet gears may be used in the supplementary gear and one of the main trains. In the gear shown in Fig. 1, three trains 1, 2, 3 of the main gear G and a single train of the supplementary overdrive gear DO are simple sun-ring-planet trains, all having equal specified-sized elements. A direct drive in the supplementary gear is possible by a one-way clutch FW and eight overall ratios, including direct drive and two overdrives, all two-way, are obtained in ascending order by the following combinations of three clutches C1, C2, C3 and four brakes B0 ... B3, positioned as shown: C2, C3, B1; C2, B0, B1; C2, C3, B2; C2, C3, B3; C2, B0, B3; C1, C2, C3; C1, B0, C3; C1, B0; C2. Ratios one to six differ by the same geometric step, the value (1À324) of which is the same as the indirect ratio of the overdrive gear, but the same step between ratios six and eight is split by torque-split ratio seven into two steps, the first (six-seven) of which (1À14), is less than the square root (1À506) of the common step (1À324). The split torque and step seventh ratio is obtained as follows. The clutch C3 directly drives the input X of the main gear from the main supplementary gear input I, whilst with the overdrive brake B0 applied, the clutch C1 overdrives the reaction ring R3 of the main train. In eighth ratio the main gear is locked by the direct drive clutch C2, and the supplementary gear is again in overdrive. In Fig. 2, not shown, the supplementary gear is an underdrive, with one-way and parallel band brakes on a reaction sun. In Fig. 3, not shown, the third train 3 of the main gear has a smaller ring gear and larger sun than the others and its ring is connected to the preceding planet carrier, whilst its carrier is connected to the preceding sun, its sun being the reaction member. Fig. 4 (not shown) differs in having only two trains in the main gear, the second train and the direct-reduced supplementary train both having intermeshed planets. The final output shaft is secured to first planet carrier and second ring gear, whilst the first sun and second carrier are secured to the input shaft X of the main gear, the second sun (S2) being the reaction member which receives the indirect ratio output of the supplementary gear in the split ratio (fifth). Five reduced ratios, direct drive and one reverse are provided, the reverse being obtained in the main gear driven only by the first reaction sun (S2) through the supplementary gear in reduced ratio. Fig. 5 (not shown) also has a two-train main gear, but all the trains are simple sun-ring trains, the supplementary gear being direct-overdrive. In the main gear only the first sun (S1) is fast to the main gear input shaft (X), the final output being connected to the first carrier and second sun, the first ring being connected to the second carrier, and the second sun (S2) being the reaction and second input member. Reverse is obtained in the main gear, but it is then driven by the supplementary gear acting in direct drive by a one-way clutch between its output ring and reaction sun, so that reverse is a oneway drive. In Fig. 6 (not shown) a similar supplementary gear drives a main gear the same as that in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 may be modified in respect of the number of teeth in the gear trains, only two of which are then equal sized, this arrangement yielding nine ratios, the first step (one-to-two) being equal to the supplementary ratio, succeeding steps two to six the square root of that ratio, steps seven-to-eight and eight-to-nine being less than that root. Index powers other than two are also specified, as are the numbers of teeth, ratios, and all ratio steps, of all embodiments.