Patent ID: 8202193

Claim:
An automatic transmission comprising: a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first pinion engaged with the first sun gear, a first carrier supporting the first pinion, and a first ring gear engaged with the first pinion and constantly locked; a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second pinion engaged with the second sun gear, a second carrier supporting the second pinion, and a second ring gear engaged with the second pinion; a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, a third pinion engaged with the third sun gear, a third carrier supporting the third pinion, the third carrier being connected with the second ring gear to define a rotating member, and a third ring gear engaged with the third pinion; an input shaft constantly connected with the second carrier; an output shaft directly and constantly connected with the rotating member; and five friction elements including a first friction element adapted to selectively connect the first carrier with the third ring gear, a second friction element adapted to selectively connect the first sun gear with the second carrier, a third friction element adapted to selectively connect the first sun gear with the second sun gear, a fourth friction element adapted to selectively connect the first carrier with the second carrier, and a fifth friction element adapted to selectively connect the first carrier with the second sun gear, the automatic transmission being adapted to achieve at least seven forward speed-ratios and one reverse speed-ratio, each of the at least seven forward speed-ratios and one reverse speed-ratio being achieved by an engaged state of two friction elements selected from the five friction elements, wherein the first planetary gear set is located adjacent to the second planetary gear set such that the third planetary gear set is located adjacent to either one of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set.