Automatic transmission

An automatic transmission for transmitting motive power of a prime mover to drive wheels of a vehicle in a state in which a speed of the motive power is stepwise changed, comprising:

• a first gear mechanism that is connected to the prime mover and the drive wheels, for transmitting the motive power of the prime mover to the drive wheels in a state in which the speed of the motive power is changed at a transmission gear ratio of one speed position of a first speed position group composed of a plurality of speed positions;
• a first clutch that is engaged/disengaged to thereby connect/disconnect between the prime mover and said first gear mechanism;
• a second gear mechanism that is disposed in parallel with said first gear mechanism, and is connected to the prime mover and the drive wheels, for transmitting the motive power of the prime mover to the drive wheels in a state in which the speed of the motive power is changed at a transmission gear ratio of one speed position of a second speed position group composed of a plurality of speed positions;
• a second clutch that is engaged/disengaged to thereby connect/disconnect between the prime mover and said second gear mechanism;
• control means for controlling said first and second clutches;
• a single connection/disconnection device that is provided for both of said first and second gear mechanisms, and is capable of executing a first connection operation for selecting one speed position from the first speed position group and connecting transmission of motive power from said first gear mechanism to the drive wheels, using the selected one speed position, a first disconnection operation for disconnecting the transmission of the motive power, a second connection operation for selecting one speed position from the second speed position group and connecting transmission of motive power from said second gear mechanism to the drive wheels, using the selected one speed position, and a second disconnection operation for disconnecting the transmission of the motive power;
• shift position-detecting means for detecting a shift position of a shift lever selectively operated by a driver of the vehicle to one of a plurality of shift positions including a non-traveling position for stoppage of the vehicle, and a forward travel position for forward travel of the vehicle;
• and
• determination means for determining whether or not a request for a standing start of the vehicle has been made by the driver,
• wherein when the detected shift position is at the non-traveling position, said control means disengages said first and second clutches,
• wherein thereafter, when the shift position is switched from the non-traveling position to the forward travel position, said connection/disconnection device executes the first and second connection operations, and in the second connection operation, selects a predetermined standing start speed position for the standing start of the vehicle from the second speed position group,
• wherein in a case where the shift position is switched to the forward travel position, when both the first and second connection operations have been completed, said control means permits engagement of said first and second clutches, and
• wherein in a case where the engagement of said first and second clutches is permitted, when the request for the standing start of the vehicle has been made by the driver, said control means selectively engages one of said first and second clutches.