A Transmission Concept for Improving Fuel Economy and Making Driving More Fun

A new transmission concept utilizes only a single sprag or roller clutch for automating all power-on downshifts, including all possible combinations of out-of-sequence downshifting. Power-on downshifts would, in addition, be executed much more quickly than in current automatic transmissions. Upshiftlng once under way would, in contrast, be manual, but with enhanced gearshift and clutch action which would help win converts from motorists who normally prefer automatic transmissions. Other features of this new concept include reduced cost, smaller transmission size in comparison to current manual transmissions and more speed ratios and more flexible spacing of ratios in comparison to typical automatic transmissions.