Automatic transmission apparatus with torque convertor planetary gear mechanism

An automatic transmission apparatus for selectively outputting power of an engine at a plurality of differing speeds, comprising:

• a transmission having first and second input portions configured to receive torque power, said transmission being configured for selectively transmitting the torque power at a plurality of differing speeds;
• and
• a torque converter disposed between the engine and said transmission, said torque converter having:
• an impeller, a turbine, a stator, a lock-up clutch device and a planetary gear train, said impeller being disposed on a first axial side of said turbine, said stator being disposed axially between said turbine and said impeller, said lock-up clutch and said planetary gear being disposed on a second axial side of said turbine,
• said planetary gear train comprising a ring gear connected to said turbine, a carrier coupled to said first input portion of said transmission carrying a planetary gear engaged with said ring gear, and a sun gear coupled to said stator and meshing with said planetary gear, and said planetary gear train being operable to supply output rotation of said torque converter from said carrier and said sun gear,
• said lock-up clutch device being configured for selectively directly transmitting torque from the engine to said carrier of said planetary gear train, and
• said stator being mounted on a one-way clutch, said one-way clutch being connected to said second input portion of said transmission for transmitting the torque to said second input portion of said transmission in response to rotation of said stator in a direction opposite a rotation direction of said impeller and said turbine.