Continuously variable transmission

A transmission unit for transmitting torque from an engine, received at an engine side of the transmission unit, to wheels of a vehicle, said transmission unit comprising:

• a belt type continuously variable transmission subunit including:
• a first pulley arranged on a first shaft and having a first stationary sheave, a first movable sheave and a first hydraulic actuator for moving said first movable sheave;
• a second pulley arranged on a second shaft and having a second stationary sheave, a second movable sheave and a second hydraulic actuator for moving said second movable sheave;
• and a belt mounted around said first and second pulleys;
• a synchronous transmission connecting a first rotary member arranged on said first shaft and a second rotary member arranged on said second shaft at a constant speed ratio, through an endless band;
• an output gear for transmitting torque to wheels of the vehicle;
• a planetary gear unit arranged on said second shaft and including at least first, second and third rotary elements, said first rotary element being connected to said second rotary member, said second rotary element being connected to said second pulley, and said third rotary element being connected to said output gear, and
• a first clutch for selectively coupling said first shaft to the first rotary member of said synchronous transmission to selectively transmit the torque,
• wherein said first shaft is connected through said belt type continuously variable transmission to said second rotary element and through said synchronous transmission to said first rotary element,
• wherein said first hydraulic actuator and said second hydraulic actuator are arranged on axially opposite sides of said belt, and
• wherein said planetary gear unit and said output gear are arranged to axially overlap said first hydraulic actuator and are mounted on said second shaft between said synchronous transmission and said second pulley,
• wherein the power from the engine is input directly to said first shaft through a damper unit for absorbing fluctuation in the torque output of the engine, and
• wherein said damper unit is arranged to axially overlap said second hydraulic actuator and is mounted on said first shaft at the engine side of said first stationary sheave.