TRANSMISSION MECHANISM WITH PARALLEL TRANSMISSION PATHS INCLUDING TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE FIRST SPEED PATH ONLY

摘要

A power supplying member supplies rotational power in a certain rotational direction to a first member of the transmission, and a power receiving member takes out power from a second member. Several power transmission systems are provided between the first and the second member, which are selectively engagable so as to provide various speed stages between them. Each power transmission system has a clutching mechanism which either can be disconnected so as to freewheel in both rotational directions, or can be connected to transmit rotational power at least in the one rotational direction which is required for transmission of power through that power transmission system from the first member to the second member. A fluid torque converter is provided in the rotational power transmission path of only one of the power transmission systems which provides the lowest gearing ratio between the first member and the second member.