FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a rotating transmission component and, in particular, to a spindle supported by a rotating transmission component in a multi-speed transmission.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Known multi-speed transmissions use a plurality of interconnectors and operative transmission components to achieve a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratios between at least one input member and at least one output member operatively connected to the multi-speed transmission. Any of the operative transmission components may include a rotatable transmission component, such as, for example, a planet carrier assembly, supporting a spindle which in turn supports a planet gear. Typically, the spindle is retained in the rotatable transmission component using at least one retainer or deforming the ends of spindle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a planetary gearset is disclosed. The planetary gearset comprises a sun gear rotatable about a central axis and a planet carrier rotatable about the central axis. The planet carrier includes a central aperture for receiving the sun gear and a plurality of radial cavities spaced radially outwardly from the central axis. The plurality of radial cavities are defined between the first and second mounting members. The planetary gearset further comprises a plurality of planet gears supported on a respective spindle axially extending between the first and second mounting members of the planet carrier. The spindle extends continuously from a first end to a second end. The first end of the spindle has a first diameter and is coupled to the first mounting member through an interference fit connection with a corresponding aperture of the first mounting member. The second end of the spindle has a second diameter and is coupled to the second mounting member through an interference fit connection with a corresponding aperture of the second mounting member. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotatable transmission component is disclosed. The rotatable transmission component comprises a base having a first mounting member and a second mounting member spaced apart from the first mounting member. The first and second mounting members are configured to rotate together about a central axis. The rotatable transmission component further comprises a spindle extending axially between the first and second mounting members. The spindle extends continuously from a first end to a second end. The first end of the spindle has a first diameter and is coupled to the first mounting member through an interference fit connection with a corresponding aperture of the first mounting member. The second end of the spindle has a second diameter and is coupled to the second mounting member through an interference fit connection with a corresponding aperture of the second mounting member. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and an axial location of the spindle between the first and second mounting members is maintained only by the interference fit connections between the spindle and the first and second mounting members.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling a rotatable transmission component is disclosed. The method comprises providing a planet carrier configured to rotate about a central axis and having a first mounting member spaced apart from a second mounting member. The first and second mounting members each include an aperture, the respective apertures being coaxial. The method further comprises providing a spindle extending continuously from a first end to a second end. The first end has a first diameter, and the second end has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The method further comprises passing the first end of the spindle through the aperture of the second mounting member along a spindle insertion axis, inserting the first end of the spindle into the aperture of the first mounting member to a first insertion depth such that the first end of the spindle is coupled to the first mounting member through a first interference fit connection with the aperture of the first mounting member, and inserting the second end of the spindle into the aperture of the second mounting member to a second insertion depth such that the second end of the spindle is coupled to the second mounting member through a second interference fit connection with the aperture of the second mounting member.

In some instances throughout this disclosure and in the claims, numeric terminology, such as first, second, third, and fourth, is used in reference to various operative transmission components and other components and features. Such use is not intended to denote an ordering of the components. Rather, numeric terminology is used to assist the reader in identifying the component being referenced and should not be narrowly interpreted as providing a specific order of components.

