Multi-speed transmission with selectable one-way braking clutch

Abstract

A multi-speed transmission for a vehicle is provided with a selectable one-way braking clutch (SOWBC). The transmission has multiple planetary gear sets. Multiple torque-transmitting mechanisms are engagable in different combinations to establish at least one reverse speed ratio and multiple forward speed ratios between an input member and an output member. A selectable one-way braking clutch is configured to brake in one rotational direction and is selectively reversible to brake in an opposite rotational direction, and freewheels in some speed ratios.

1 . A transmission for a vehicle comprising:
 an input member;   an output member;   a stationary member;   a first planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member; wherein the output member is connected for rotation with the ring gear member of the first planetary gear set;   a second planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member; wherein the input member is continuously connected for rotation with the one of the members of the second planetary gear set;   a third planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member;   a first interconnecting member continuously connecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;   a second interconnecting member continuously connecting the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;   a first selectively engagable rotating clutch engagable to connect one of the members of the second planetary gear set for common rotation with the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set;   a second selectively engagable rotating clutch engagable to connect the same or a different member of the second planetary gear set as connected by the first rotating clutch for common rotation with the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set; and   a selectable one-way braking clutch configured to brake in one rotational direction and selectively reversible to brake in an opposite rotational direction, the selectable one-way clutch being configured to brake rotation of the carrier member of the first planetary gear set when the transmission is in reverse and first forward speed ratios;   wherein the first rotating clutch is engaged and the selectable one-way braking clutch brakes reverse rotation of the carrier member to transmit torque from the input member to the output member in the first forward speed ratio; and   wherein the second rotating clutch is engaged and the selectable one-way braking clutch brakes forward rotation of the carrier member to transmit torque from the input member to the output member in the reverse speed ratio.   
     
     
         2 . The transmission of  claim 1 , wherein said one of the members of the second planetary gear set connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set by the first rotating clutch is the carrier member. 
     
     
         3 . The transmission of  claim 1 , wherein said one of the members of the second planetary gear set connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set by the first rotating clutch is the ring gear member. 
     
     
         4 . The transmission of  claim 1 , wherein said member of the second planetary gear set connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set by the second rotating clutch is the ring gear member. 
     
     
         5 . The transmission of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a third rotating clutch selectively engagable to connect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set to the input member.   
     
     
         6 . The transmission of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a fourth rotating clutch selectively engagable to connect the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set to the input member.   
     
     
         7 . The transmission of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first brake selectively engagable to ground the first sun gear member of the first planetary gear set to the transmission housing.   
     
     
         8 . The transmission of  claim 4 , wherein one of the members of the second planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the transmission housing. 
     
     
         9 . The transmission of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 additional selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanisms engagable to connect different members of the planetary gear set and the set of intermeshing gears for common rotation or to the stationary member;   wherein the rotating clutches, the selectable one-way braking clutch, and the additional selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable to provide the reverse speed ratio and eight forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member, including the first forward speed ratio, with the selectable one-way clutch free-wheeling in some of the forward speed ratios.   
     
     
         10 . A transmission for a vehicle comprising:
 an input member;   an output member;   a stationary member;   a first planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member; wherein the output member is connected for rotation with the ring gear member of the first planetary gear set;   a second planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member; wherein the input member is continuously connected for rotation with the one of the members of the second planetary gear set;   a third planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member;   a first interconnecting member continuously connecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;   a second interconnecting member continuously connecting the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;   a first selectively engagable rotating clutch engagable to connect one of the members of the second planetary gear set for common rotation with the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set;   a second selectively engagable rotating clutch engagable to connect the same or a different member of the second planetary gear set as connected by the first rotating clutch for common rotation with the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set; and   a selectable one-way braking clutch configured to brake in one rotational direction and selectively reversible to brake in an opposite rotational direction, the selectable one-way clutch being configured to brake rotation of the carrier member of the first planetary gear set when the transmission is in reverse and first forward speed ratios;   wherein the first rotating clutch is engaged and the selectable one-way braking clutch is brakes reverse rotation of the carrier member to transmit torque from the input member to the output member in the first forward speed ratio;   wherein the second rotating clutch is engaged and the selectable one-way braking clutch brakes forward rotation of the carrier member to transmit torque from the input member to the output member in the reverse speed ratio.   wherein said one of the members of the second planetary gear set connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set by the first rotating clutch is the ring gear member; and   wherein said member of the second planetary gear set connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set by the second rotating clutch is the ring gear member.   
     
     
         11 . The transmission of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a third rotating clutch selectively engagable to connect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set to the input member.   
     
     
         12 . The transmission of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a fourth rotating clutch selectively engagable to connect the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set to the input member.   
     
     
         13 . The transmission of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first brake selectively engagable to ground the first sun gear member of the first planetary gear set to the transmission housing.   
     
     
         14 . The transmission of  claim 10 , wherein one of the members of the second planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the transmission housing. 
     
     
         15 . The transmission of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 additional selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanisms engagable to connect different members of the planetary gear set and the set of intermeshing gears for common rotation or to the stationary member; and   wherein the rotating clutches, the selectable one-way braking clutch, and the additional selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanisms are selectively engagable to provide the reverse speed ratio and eight forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member, including the first forward speed ratio, with the selectable one-way clutch free-wheeling in some of the forward speed ratios.   
     
     
         16 . A transmission for a vehicle comprising:
 an input member;   an output member;   a stationary member;   a first planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member; wherein the output member is connected for rotation with the ring gear member of the first planetary gear set;   a second planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member; wherein the input member is continuously connected for rotation with the one of the members of the second planetary gear set;   a third planetary gear set having a ring gear member, a carrier member, and a sun gear member;   a first interconnecting member continuously connecting the carrier member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set;   a second interconnecting member continuously connecting the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set for common rotation with the carrier member of the third planetary gear set;   a first selectively engagable rotating clutch engagable to connect one of the members of the second planetary gear set for common rotation with the sun gear member of the third planetary gear set;   a second selectively engagable rotating clutch engagable to connect the same or a different member of the second planetary gear set as connected by the first rotating clutch for common rotation with the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set;   a selectable one-way braking clutch configured to brake in one rotational direction and selectively reversible to brake in an opposite rotational direction, the selectable one-way clutch being configured to brake rotation of the carrier member of the first planetary gear set when the transmission is in reverse and first forward speed ratios;   wherein the first rotating clutch is engaged and the selectable one-way braking clutch is brakes reverse rotation of the carrier member to transmit torque from the input member to the output member in the first forward speed ratio;   wherein the second rotating clutch is engaged and the selectable one-way braking clutch brakes forward rotation of the carrier member to transmit torque from the input member to the output member in the reverse speed ratio;   wherein said member of the second planetary gear set connected for common rotation with the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set by the second rotating clutch is the ring gear member;   a third rotating clutch selectively engagable to connect the carrier member of the first planetary gear set to the input member;   a fourth rotating clutch selectively engagable to connect the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set to the input member;   a first brake selectively engagable to ground the first sun gear member of the first planetary gear set to the transmission housing; and   wherein one of the members of the second planetary gear set is continuously grounded to the transmission housing.