Automatic transmission

An automatic transmission comprising:

• a casing;
• an input shaft;
• an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft;
• a pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• an output gear supported on the casing;
• and
• two input elements operably connected to the pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms, the output gear and the input elements are disposed above the input shaft;
• wherein the two input elements are spaced apart in the direction of the shaft;
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms and the output gear are disposed between the two input elements;
• and
• wherein the output gear functions as a connecting member to operably connect with a rotational member of one of the planetary gear mechanisms.

An automatic transmission comprising:

• a casing;
• an input shaft;
• an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft;
• a pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• an output gear supported on the casing;
• two input elements operably connected to the pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• and
• a frictional engagement element for selectively operating said planetary gear mechanisms, wherein the frictional engagement element comprises:
• a clutch drum having an inside and an inside surface;
• a clutch hub provided on the inside of the clutch drum and having an outside surface;
• a first spline formed on the outside surface of the clutch hub;
• a second spline formed on the inside surface of the clutch drum;
• a plurality of frictional plates respectively opposed to the first and second splines;
• and
• a clutch piston having an axis and serving to press together the plurality of frictional plates and joining the clutch drum and clutch hub, said clutch piston having a cylindrical portion extending in the direction of its axis, a pressing portion jutting out from the cylindrical portion for pressing together the frictional plates, and a flange extending inward from a central portion of the cylindrical portion;
• wherein a centrifugal balance chamber is formed on one side of the flange, and a space is formed on the other side of the flange;
• wherein within the space, a bent portion is provided at an inner radial portion of the clutch drum;
• wherein a power transmission element for transmitting power to the clutch drum is disposed within the bent portion;
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms, the output gear and the input elements are disposed above the input shaft;
• wherein the two input elements are spaced apart in the direction of the shaft;
• and
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms and the output gear are disposed between the two input elements.

An automatic transmission comprising:

• a casing;
• an input shaft;
• an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft;
• a pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• an output gear supported on the casing;
• two input elements operably connected to the pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• and
• a torque converter connected to one end of the input shaft;
• wherein the pair of the planetary gear mechanisms is located between the torque converter and the output gear in the direction of the input shaft;
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms, the output gear and the input elements are disposed above the input shaft;
• wherein the two input elements are spaced apart in the direction of the shaft;
• and
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms and the output gear are disposed between the two input elements.

An automatic transmission comprising:

• a casing;
• a torque converter disposed adjacent to said casing;
• an input shaft;
• an output shaft disposed parallel to the input shaft;
• a pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• an output gear;
• means, provided between said output gear and said torque converter, for supporting said output gear on the casing;
• and
• two input elements operably connected to the pair of planetary gear mechanisms;
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms, the output gear and the input elements are disposed above the input shaft;
• wherein the two input elements are spaced apart in the direction of the shaft;
• and
• wherein the pair of planetary gear mechanisms and the output gear are disposed between the two input elements.