Mazda Motor Corporation

Koki Ito

Tomoaki Saito

Mitsuhiro Muto

Shinji Takahara

Jun Inada

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine: a regenerative motor for use when the hybrid vehicle runs, the motor having characteristics such that the motor efficiency is 90% or more at a rotational speed of 75% of the maximum rotational speed of the motor when the load of the motor is 10% or more of the maximum load of the motor; and a transmission which transmits the power of the engine to a wheel drive shaft. The motor is coupled to the wheel drive shaft without being coupled to the transmission.

Hybrid vehicle

An automatic transmission includes first and second multi-step or speed transmissions mounted in parallel with each other with respect to a transmission shaft. The multi-step or speed transmissions are operationally coupled by a counter gear for transmitting engine torque from the first multi-step or speed transmission to the second multi-transmission. An extension unit having friction clutch elements is detachably coupled to the first multi-step or speed transmission for changing a transmission path of the engine torque through it. The number of shiftable gear ratios of the automatic transmission, therefore, can be increased.

Automatic transmission with an add-on extension to increase the number

A transmission has a pair of parallel shafts, a first shaft being connected through a torque converter with a vehicle engine and a second shaft carrying an output gear which is adapted to engage with a differential unit for the front wheel drive axle. The first shaft is provided with a first gear system thereon which includes one or more planetary gearsets, and the second shaft is provided with a second gear system thereon which includes a planetary gearset. A sun gear constituting the planetary gearset of the second gear system is integrally provided on the second shaft so that it can rotate together with the second shaft. A brake and a one-way clutch for controlling the action of this planetary gearset are provided between the second shaft and the case in such a manner that the brake can restrict the rotation of the second shaft, and that the one-way clutch can prohibit the rotation of the second shaft in one direction. The output gear is carried rotatably on the second shaft.

Vehicle power transmission

An automatic transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft provided parallel to the input shaft. Above the input shaft is provided a pair of planetary gear mechanisms, an output gear supported on the transmission casing, and two input elements for inputting to the pair of planetary gear mechanisms. The input elements are spaced apart in the direction of the shafts, and the pair of planetary gear mechanisms and the output gear are provided in the space between the input elements. The planetary gear mechanisms are preferably provided respectively facing each side of the output gear with the output gear in the middle. The output gear preferably functions as a connecting member to operably connect with a rotational member of one of the planetary gear mechanisms. The transmission comprises a plurality of frictional engagement elements for selectively operating the planetary gear mechanism according to the driving condition of the vehicle. These engagement elements are preferably clutches of a novel configuration.

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Hiroshima, Japan

Koki Ito