Patent attributes
A vehicle transmission includes a differential gearset having five coaxial gear elements and two output members. Two of the gear elements are controllable via torque-transmitting devices such as friction brakes or electric motors to establish a plurality of speed ratios between the input shaft and the two output members. The two output members are selectively operatively connectable to an output shaft via a gear arrangement that allows for a plurality of speed ratios between the output members and the output shaft. If the torque-transmitting devices are electric motors or hydraulic pumps, then a continuously variable speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is achievable. The plurality of speed ratios between the two output members and the output shaft enable a plurality of compound split operating modes, facilitating smaller and less powerful motors or pumps compared to the prior art.
