Overdrive device for automatic transmission

Claim 1

An overdrive device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle comprising: a fluid coupling-type torque converter; an input shaft coupled to said torque converter; a plurality of auxiliary transmissions each having at least one reduction gear ratio; an output shaft coupled to said auxiliary transmissions; a carrier rotatably supporting planetary pinions through the medium of a plurality of pinion shafts and needle bearings positioned in side-by-side relationship provided in the axial direction of said input shaft; a spacer positioned between said needle bearings; a planetary gear including a sun gear and a ring gear meshing with said pinions rotatably supported in said carrier, with said sun gear concentric with said input shaft and with said ring gear coupled to said output shaft; a one-way clutch included between said carrier and said sun gear; hydraulic source means for supplying lubricating oil for said needle bearings; first lubricating oil passage means formed in said carrier in the radial direction of said output shaft communicating with said hydraulic source means and having one end closed with a plug; second lubricating oil passage means positioned inside said spacer communicating with said first lubricating oil passage means and formed in the axial direction of said pinions; third lubricating oil passage means communicating with said second lubricating oil passage means discharging lubricating oil to said bearings and having a diameter which at one end is enlarged to loosely receive a plug, with adjoining means being provided to prevent said plug from being removed therefrom; and hydraulic control means operating to control the pressure of said lubricating oil.