CLUTCHES-INPUT

Three multi-plate input clutches (1, 2, 5), the front, middle and rear multi-plate clutches K1 (1), K2 (2), and K3 (5), are located in the planetary gear sets in the transmission housing.

A multi-plate input clutch consists of a number of internally toothed discs (4) on an internally toothed disc carrier and externally toothed discs (3) on an externally toothed disc carrier.

OPERATION

The input clutches produce a non-positive locking connection between two elements of a planetary gear set or between one element from each of two planetary gear sets in order to transmit the drive torque.

If the piston (20) on multi-plate clutch K1 (1) is subjected to oil pressure, it presses the internal and external discs of the disc set together. The sun gear (17) is locked with the planetary carrier (15) via the externally toothed disc carrier (19) and the internally toothed disc carrier (18). The front planetary gear set is thus locked and turns as a closed unit.

If the multi-plate clutch K2 (2) is actuated via the piston (14), the piston compresses the disc set. The annulus gear (16) of the front planetary gear set is locked with the annulus gear (11) of the center planetary gear set via the externally toothed disc carrier (13) and the center planetary carrier (10) on which the internally toothed discs are seated. Annulus gear (16) and annulus gear (11) turn at the same speed as the input shaft (21)

If the multi-plate clutch K3 (5) is actuated via the piston (7), the piston compresses the disc set. The sun gear (12) of the center planetary gear set is locked with the sun gear (9) of the rear planetary gear set via the externally toothed disc carrier (6) and the internally toothed disc carrier (8). Sun gear (12) and sun gear (9) turn at the same speed.