Mrch 25, 1952 - C, .

__ SWIFT 2,590,280
TRANSMISSION ' I

Filed Jan. 6, 1949

Patented Mar. 25, 1952 2,590,280

UNITED sTATEs PATENT orifice

TRANSMIS SIGN
Clifford L. Swift, Muncie, Ind., assignor to Borg
' Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corpora
tion of Illinois
Application January 6, 1949, Serial No. 69,518
8 Claims. (Cl. i4-763)
1 2
ance with the well-known principles of such de
My invention relates to transmissions and vices and hence will not be further described in
more particularly to transmissions for automo detail. Suice it to say, the rotor 23 due to the
tive vehicles. fiuid impinging thereon, which is given energy
It is an object of the invention to provide an by the rotation of the impeller 22, is driven at
improved gear set for such a transmission by a speed which becomes very nearly equal to that
means-of which the driven shaft of the trans of the impeller 22 as the impeller increases in
mission may be driven in four forward drives of speed. The coupling I6 functions to provide a
different ratio and may be driven in reverse drive smooth drive therethrough from the shaft I8 to
with the use of only ve engaging mechanisms.
It is a further object to utilize engaging mech- the shaft I2.
The planetary gear set I1 comprises a pair of
anisms of the friction type for completing each sun> gears 24 and 25, planet gears 26, 21 and 28,
yof the forward drive' power trains so that the a-'ring gear 29 and a planet gear carrier 30. The
transmsision may be power shifted between its sun gear 24 is formed on the shaft I4 which is
various forward drives, that is, shifted without journaled on the shaft I3, and the sun gear 25
the necessity for the vehicle operator releasing is rotatably disposed on the shaft I4. The planet
the accelerator of the vehicle in order to initiate gear 21 is in mesh with the sun gear 25 and with
or complete the shift in speed ratio. the planet gear 28, and the planet gear 28 is
The invention consists of the novel construc also in mesh'with the ring gear 23. The planet
tions, arrangements and devices to be herein gear 26 is in mesh both with the planet gear 21
after described and claimed for carrying out 20- ' and also with the sun gear 24, and the planet
the above stated objects and such other objects gears 26, 21 and 28 are'all rotatably mounted on
as will appear from the following description of the planet gear carrier 30, as shown.
a certain preferred embodiment illustrated inthe The friction brake I8 comprises a friction
accompanying drawing wherein: . >
" 25 band 3I adapted to engage a drum 32 which is
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a fixed to the sun gear 25.` The friction brake I8
transmission embodying the principles of the comprises a brake band 33 which is adapted to
transmission; and engage a drum 34 xed with respect to the shaft
Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic sectional views I4 by means of an intermediate member 35.
taken on lines 2-2 and 3--3 respectively of Both of the bands 3l and 33 may be engaged with
A30
Fig. 1. l ' their respective drums by means of any suitable
Like characters of reference designate like motors (not shown), preferably fluid pressure
parts in the several views. . operated, acting on the bands.
Referring now to the drawing, the illustrated The clutch 28 comprises clutch discs 36 and
transmission comprises a drive shaft I0, a driven 31 which are'respectively splined to a shell 38
shaft Il, and intermediate shafts I2, I3 and I4. 35
and a hub 39. The shell 38 is fixed with respect
The shaft I0 is adapted to be connected with to the shaft I2 by means of an intermediate an
the driving engine (not shown) of the automo nular member 40, and the hub 38 is splined on
tive vehicle in which the transmission is installed, to the shaft I3. A backing plate member 4I is
-and the driven shaft II is adapted to be con fixed within the shell 38, and a fluid pressure
nected to the driving road wheels (not shown) y40
operated piston 42 is provided for frictionally
of the vehicle. The intermediate shafts I2 and engagingl the clutch discs 36 and 31 and com
I3 are in piloted relation with each other and pressing them between the piston 42 and backing
with the driving and driven shafts and are rotat plate member 4I. A compression spring 43 is
ably disposed within a transmission casing I5 provided for yeldably holding the piston 42 in
as illustrated.
-45
its clutch disengaging position in which it is
'I'he transmission comprises in general a fluid illustrated, and the spring is disposed between
coupling I6, a planetary gear set I1, friction vthe piston and a ring -44 fixed on the interme
brakes I8 and I9 and friction clutches 28 and 2 I.
diate member 4I).` Y f
The fluid coupling I6 comprises a iiuid casing The clutch 2| comprises'clutch discs 45 and
or container I6a which is connected with the 50 46 which are- splined respectively within the
shaft I0 to be driven thereby, a vaned impeller drum 34 and on the member 4I. A piston 41 is
22 connected with the casing and drive shaft and disposed within the member 35, and an oppo
a vaned rotor 23 which is splined onto the inter site pressure plate 48 is fixed within the drum
mediate shaft I2. The fluid coupling I6 is of an v34. The piston 41. is adapted to compress the
ordinary construction and operates in accord
 2,590,280
discs 45 and 46 between the piston and pressure gagements and disengagements of the various
plate for engaging the clutch 2|. A compression
spring 49 is provided between the piston 41 and friction mechanisms without the necessity of
a ring 50 fixed on the member 35 for yieldably the vehicle operator releasing the vehicle ac
holding the piston 41 in its clutch disengaging celerator in order to initiate or complete a
position in which it is illustrated.
change in speed ratio.
A brake is also provided for the carrier 30 I wish it to be understood that the invention
which comprises sprag teeth 5| formed on a is not to be limited to the specific structures, ar
drum 52 xed to the carrier and a sprag 53 rangements and devices hereinabove described,
movable into engagement with the teeth 5|. except only insofar as the claims may be so
10 limited, as it will be apparent to those skilled in
The illustrated transmission provides four the art that changes may be made without de
speed ratios in forward drive and also a drive
in reverse. All of these drives include the uid
parting from the principles of the invention.
I claim:
coupling. Low speed forward drive is obtained
by engaging the clutch 2| >and the brake I9. 1. In a transmission, a planetary gear set
comprising a ring gear, a sun gear, a first planet
The clutch 2| functions to connect the inter
mediate shaft I4 with the shaft I2 which is gear in mesh with said sun gear, a second planet
driven from the fluid coupling | 6, and the brake gear in mesh with said ring gear and with said
I9 functions to hold stationary the sun gear >25 first planet gear, a second sun gear, a third
thereby rendering this gear the reaction ele 20 planet gear in mesh with said rst planet gear
ment of the gear set l1. The drive is then from and with said second sun gear, a carrier for said
the drive shaft I0 and impeller 22, through `the planet gears, and means for causing a selected
runner 23, the shaft |2, the members 40, 38, 4|, one of the -gears of said planetary gear set to
the clutch 2|, the members 34 and 35, the shaft serve as a reaction member.
I4, the gears 24, 26, 21, 28 and 29 to the driven 25 2. In a transmission, the combination of a
shaft ||. drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planet gear set
In order to shift to second speed drive, which comprising a ring gear connected with said
allows the drive shaft ID to decrease in speed driven shaft, a sun gear, a first planet gear in
relative to the speed of the driven shaft Il, the mesh with said sun gear, a second planet gear
clutch 20 is engaged and the clutch 2| is dis 30 in mesh with said first planet gear and with said
engaged, with the brake I9 remaining engaged. ring gear, a second sun gear, and a third planet
'I'he drive in this speed ratio is the same as in gear in mesh with said first planet gear and with
low speed drive with the exception that the said second sun gear, and a planet gear carrier,
clutch 20 functions to drive the planet gear car means for coupling said planet carrier in driving
rier 3|) through the shaft I3 instead of the sun relation with said drive shaft, clutch means for
gear 24 being driven. connecting said drive shaft and said second sun
Third speed drive, which is a direct drive be gear and a brake for said rst sun gear for com
tween the shafts |2 and ||, is obtained by dis pleting a reduced speed power train between
engaging the brake |9 -and engaging the clutch said shafts when it and said clutch are both en
gaged.
2|, with the clutch 29 remaining engaged. The
clutch 29 functions as before to drive the planet 3. In a transmission, the combination of` a
gear carrier 30, and the clutch 2| functions as drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planetary gear set
in low speed drive to drive the sun gear 24. comprising a ring gear connected with said
Since both the carrier 30 and the sun gear 24 are driven shaft, a sun gear, a planet gear in mesh
with said sun gear, a second planet gear in mesh
driven at the same speed, which is that of the 45 with said first planet gear and a third planet
shaft |2, the elements of the planet gear set |1 gear in mesh with said ring gear and with said
are then locked to rotate as a unit, and its ring
- gear and thereby the shaft | | is driven at the second planet gear, a brake for said sun gear,
same speed as the shaft l2. a carrier for said planet gears, and a clutch for
connecting said planet gear carrier and said
Fourth speed forward drive, which is an over 50 drive shaft to complete an overdrive power train
drive, is obtained by engaging the brake I8 and between said shafts when it and said brake are
disengaging the clutch 2|, with the clutch 20 re both engaged.
maining engaged. The clutch 20 functions to
drive the carrier 30 along with the shaft I2, and 4. In a transmission, the combination of a
drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planetary gear set
the brake I8 functions to hold the sun gear 24 55 comprising
stationary so that an overdrive of the ring gear a plurality of drive-transmitting
29 and thereby of the driven shaft | | results. and reaction elements, one of said elements be
Y vReverse drive is obtained by engaging the ing connected with one of said shafts, a low
clutch 2|l and engaging the sprag 53 with the ratio reduced speed power train comprising a
teeth 5l on the member 52 fixed to the carrier 30 60 clutch for connecting a second element of said
for holding the carrier 3|) stationary. The gear set with the other of said shafts and a
clutch 2| connects the sun gear 24 and the shaft brake for causing a third of said elements to
serve as a reaction member of said gear set, a
|2 causing the gear to be driven, and the net higher ratio reduced speed power train including
result is a drive in reverse of the ring gear 29
and driven shaft || at a reduced speed with re 65 a second clutch for connecting a fourth element
spect to the shaft |2. ' of said gear set with said last-named shaft while
said brake is engaged to cause said third ele
The transmission advantageously utilizes a
gear set which provides four speed ratios in for ment to serve as a reaction member for said
ward drive as well as a drive in reverse' and is planetary set, a one to one drive connection be
simple in construction and therefore economical 70 tween said shafts being provided by engaging
both said clutches, an overdrive power train be
of manufacture. The transmission advanta tween said shafts including one of said clutches
geously includes friction engaging clutches and for connecting the fourth element of the gear set
' brakes for completing the various forward drive
with one of said shafts and a second brake for
lpower trains, so that the transmission may be causing the second element of said planetary
e power shifted, that is, shifted simply by the en 75 gear set to serve as a reaction member and a
 2,590,280
shaft whereby when said brake is engaged to
reverse power train between said shafts includ cause said first sun gear to serve as a reaction
ing said first named clutch and a brake for said member, a higher reduced speed drive is estab
fourth element of said gear set for causing this lished between said shafts, a one to one drive
element to serve as a reaction member. power train between said shafts being estab
5. In a transmission, the combination of a lished when both said clutches are engaged, and
drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planetary gear set a second brake for said second sun gear where
comprising a pair of sun gears, a ring gear and by said second sun gear may be caused to serve
a planet gear carrier, a clutch for connecting as a reaction member for said planetary gear set
one of said sun gears with said drive shaft and to establish an overdrive power train between
a brake for causing the other of said sun gears 10
said shafts when said second clutch is engaged.
to serve as a reaction member, whereby a low 8. In a transmission, the combination of a
reduced ratio power train between said shafts drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planetary gear set
may be established, a second clutch for con comprising a sun gear, a rst planet gear in
necting said planet gear carrier with said drive mesh with said sun gear, a ring gear connected
shaft whereby when said brake is engaged, a with said driven shaft, a second planet gear in
higher reduced speed power train is established mesh with said first planet gear and with said
between said shafts, a one to one drive being ring gear, a second sun gear, a third planet gear
established between said shafts when both said in mesh with said first planet gear and with
> clutches are engaged, a second brake for causing said second sun gear, a carrier for said planet
said first-named sun gear to serve as the re 20 gears, a friction brake for causing said first sun
action member of said planetary gear set where gear to serve as a reaction member and a fric
by when said second-named clutch is engaged, tion clutch for connecting said drive shaft and
an overdrive power train is established between said second sun gear whereby a low speed for
said shafts and a third brake for said carrier ward drive between said shafts may be estab
for causing the carrier to serve as the reaction lished, a second friction clutch for connecting
member of said planetary gear set whereby when said planet gear carrier and said drive shaft
said rst named clutch is engaged, a reverse whereby when said friction brake is engaged a
power train is established between said shafts. higher reduced speed power train is established,
6. In a transmission, the combination of a a one to one drive between said shafts being
drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planetary gear set established when said clutches are both en
comprising a ring gear connected with said gaged, a second friction brake for said second
driven shaft, a sun gear, a planet gear in mesh sun gear whereby when said second clutch is
with said sun gear, a second planet gear in mesh engaged, an overdrive ratio between said shafts
with said first planet -gear and a third planet is established, and a brake for said planetary
gear in mesh with said second planet gear and gear carrier whereby the carrier may be caused
with said ring gear, a carrier for said planet to serve as the reaction member so that when
gears, and a brake for causing said planet gear said first clutch is engaged, a reverse drive is
carrier to act as a reaction member and a clutch established between said shafts.
for connecting said sun gear with said drive CLIFFORD L. SWIFT.
shaft whereby a reverse drive between said
shafts is established. REFERENCES CITED
7. In a transmission, the combination of a The following references are of record in the
drive shaft, a driven shaft, a planetary gear set
comprising a ring gear connected with said file of this patent:
driven shaft, a sun gear, a first planet gear in 45 UNITED STATES PATENTS
mesh with said sun gear, a second planet gear Number Name Date
in mesh with said ring gear and with said first 2,088,782 Ford et al. ...... __ Aug. 3, 1937
planet gear, a second sun gear, and a third 2,124,192 Hanson __________ __ July 19., 1988
planet gear in mesh with said second su?fgear 2,150,950 Thoma _________ __ Mar. 21, 1939
and with said first planet gear, a carrier for said 50 2,220,174 Ravigneaux ____ ..._ Nov. 15, 1940
planet gears, a brake for causing said first sun 2,257,333 Cotterman _____ _.. Sept. 30, 1941
gear to serve as a reaction member for said
planetary gear set and a clutch for connecting FOREIGN PATENTS
said second sun gear with said drive shaft where Number Country Date
by a low speed power train may be established 55 9,489 Great Britain ____ __ May 1, 1908
between said shafts, a second clutch for con
necting said planet gear carrier with said drive