Patent · US Expired

Multi-range transmission with input split planetary gear set and continuously variable transmission unit

US6056661A · kind A · utility

116Cited by
4References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 14, 1999
Grant dateMay 2, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 14, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H2037/107
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A powertrain has an engine, multi-range transmission and a final drive gearing. The transmission includes an input planetary gear set, the carrier of which is driven by the engine, for providing a power split between the sun gear and the ring gear. The sun gear and ring gear both are connected with respective transfer gear members. The gear members are connected to respective members of a continuously variable transmission unit (CVU) and to selectively engageable clutch mechanisms. The clutch mechanisms provide selective drive connections with an output transfer gear mechanism that is drivingly connected with the final drive gearing. The CVU is controlled to establish a variable drive ratio between the transfer gear members connected with the sun gear and the ring gear. Range changes in the powertrain occur at synchronous points of operation in the CVU in a manner to provide three forward ranges and a reverse range.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.