Automatic Transmission Single Planetary Gear Set Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic transmissions with multiple planetary gear sets and multi-disk clutches are complex and inefficient, requiring significant space and compromising on functionalities such as braking and gear shifting.

Innovation Solution

A compact automatic transmission design using a single planetary gear set with claw clutches and a separate wear-free brake, allowing for a high-speed overdrive and efficient power transmission, while eliminating the need for multi-disk clutches and optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple planetary gear sets and multi-disk clutches are used, then gear ratio steps and braking functions are achieved, but device complexity and required space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear ratio stepsVSAvoidcomplexity of planetary gear sets and clutches

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple planetary gear sets into a single planetary gear set by merging the drive area and driven area, allowing the same planetary mechanism to serve multiple gear ratio functions through different clutch engagement patterns, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single planetary gear set is designed to perform multiple functions including achieving various gear ratio steps, providing braking functions, and enabling overdrive, replacing the need for separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple planetary gear sets are used in the driven area, then gear functionalities are achieved, but the transmission size and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear functionalitiesVSAvoidtransmission size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the driven area components into a more compact arrangement by using a single planetary gear set instead of multiple separate sets, reducing the overall transmission volume while maintaining all necessary gear functionalities through intelligent clutch control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested arrangement where the single planetary gear set is integrated with the clutch mechanisms in a compact configuration, allowing components to be arranged in a space-efficient manner that reduces transmission size

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If multi-disk clutches are used for gear shifting, then power transmission continuity is maintained, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission continuityVSAvoidcomplexity of multi-disk clutches

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the clutch mechanisms with the single planetary gear set in an integrated arrangement, reducing the number of separate multi-disk clutch assemblies needed while maintaining power transmission continuity through coordinated engagement of the integrated clutch components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a compact transmission design with single planetary gear set is used, then space is saved and complexity is reduced, but braking functionality must be redesigned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of transmission componentsVSAvoidbraking function implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the single planetary gear set and associated clutch mechanisms to serve dual purposes: gear ratio transformation and braking functions, eliminating the need for separate braking components and simplifying the overall design while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The braking function is merged into the existing single planetary gear set structure, using the same components that provide gear ratios to also provide braking, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves a more compact and efficient transmission with reduced complexity, improved braking efficiency, and increased space savings, enabling additional gears and improved shifting performance without the disadvantages of multi-disk clutches.

Implementation Method 1

an automatic transmission with a torque divider, in which the driven area arranged in the direction of the power flow after the hydrodynamic converter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic converter: Turbine

Data Source

PatentUS8491433B2Automatic transmission with a drive area a hydrodynamic converter, and a driven area, and a method for braking at high speeds

Publication Date: 2013.07.23 DRIVENTIC GMBH

AI summary

An automatic transmission is provided, which has a drive area, a hydrodynamic converter, and a driven area. In such a transmission, there are power paths via both the hydrodynamic converter, purely mechanical power paths around the hydrodynamic converter and combined power paths. It is provided in accordance with the invention that precisely one planetary gear set is provided in the driven area. A braking means is further provided which is suitable for tightly holding the turbine of the hydrodynamic converter.