Abstract: A vehicular drive unit comprises a central differential mechanism and a front-wheel side axle differential mechanism. The central differential mechanism comprises a first planetary gear train 10, which includes an output gear body 50, a first carrier 13, which is provided in a one-piece body with this gear body, a first sun gear 11, a first ring gear 14, and a rear-wheel drive gear 15, which is a helical gear formed around this ring gear in a one-piece body. In this drive unit, a differential limiter C is provided between the output gear body 50 (input rotating member) and a drive gear body 55 (output rotating member) to generate a rotational resistance, which acts to reduce the rotational difference between the output gear body 50 and the drive gear body 55.

Abstract: A vehicular drive unit comprises a central differential mechanism and a front-wheel side axle differential mechanism. The central differential mechanism comprises a first planetary gear train 10, which includes an output gear body 50, a first carrier 13, which is provided in a one-piece body with this gear body, a first sun gear 11, a first ring gear 14, and a rear-wheel drive gear 15, which is a helical gear formed around this ring gear in a one-piece body. In this drive unit, a differential limiter C is provided between the output gear body 50 (input rotating member) and a drive gear body 55 (output rotating member) to generate a rotational resistance, which acts to reduce the rotational difference between the output gear body 50 and the drive gear body 55.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus includes a starter motor rotating when the engine is started, a wedge roller speed reduction mechanism adapted to output a rotation of the starter motor from an output shaft at a reduced speed and to cut off power transmission between the starter motor and the output shaft when the rotational speed of the output shaft exceeds the reduced speed, a pinion gear provided on the output shaft in such a manner as to rotate together with the output shaft and to move axially over the output shaft between an engagement position where the drive gear is mesh engaged with a ring gear and a disengagement position where the pinion gear is disengaged with the ring gear, and a magnet switch for driving the pinion gear to the engagement position when the engine is started and to the disengagement position after the engine has been started.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle that is capable both of performing running drive with gear-change being effected by an infinitely variable gear-change mechanism that performs gear-change of the output rotation of an engine that is capable of temporary stoppage control and also of performing running drive by means of a second motor generator, when running using the second motor generator with the engine temporarily stopped, a forward/reverse changeover mechanism is released by a forward/reverse clutch control valve. If this forward/reverse clutch control valve becomes inoperable due to its spool sticking, etc., a gear shift inhibitor valve is operated by a gear shift control valve to supply line pressure to the forward/reverse changeover mechanism through a port of the forward/reverse clutch control valve in this sticking condition, so that this can thereby be engaged.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus includes a starter motor rotating when the engine is started, a wedge roller speed reduction mechanism adapted to output a rotation of the starter motor from an output shaft at a reduced speed and to cut off power transmission between the starter motor and the output shaft when the rotational speed of the output shaft exceeds the reduced speed, a pinion gear provided on the output shaft in such a manner as to rotate together with the output shaft and to move axially over the output shaft between an engagement position where the drive gear is mesh engaged with a ring gear and a disengagement position where the pinion gear is disengaged with the ring gear, and a magnet switch for driving the pinion gear to the engagement position when the engine is started and to the disengagement position after the engine has been started.

Abstract: An engine starter for preventing undesirable noises is disclosed, which is applicable to a vehicle employing an idle stop system. The starter comprises a starter motor; a traction-drive type reduction gear connected to the starter motor and positioned between the starter motor and a driven shaft of the engine; and a torque transmitting device via which the reduction gear and the driven shaft are linked.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle that is capable both of performing running drive with gear-change being effected by an infinitely variable gear-change mechanism 20 that performs gear-change of the output rotation of an engine E that is capable of temporary stoppage control and also of performing running drive by means of a second motor generator 50, when running using the second motor generator 50 with the engine E temporarily stopped, a forwards/reverse changeover mechanism 10 is released by a forwards/reverse clutch control valve 73. If this forwards/reverse clutch control valve 73 becomes inoperable due to its spool sticking etc, a gear shift inhibitor valve 77 is operated by a gear shift control valve 66 to supply line pressure to the forwards/reverse changeover mechanism 10 through a port of the forwards/reverse clutch control valve 73 in this sticking condition, so that this can thereby be engaged.

Abstract: An axial piston pump provided with a pump shaft, a pump cylinder, pistons and a swashplate is stored in the inside of first and second case halves and connected to a valve plate by bolts. A tensile force is made to act on the bolts by transmitting a hydraulic pressure reaction received by the cylinder to the second case half through the valve plate and by transmitting a hydraulic pressure reaction received by the pistons to the first case half through the pump swashplate 32. The tensile force is canceled by generating a thrust force in the pump shaft 10 by meshing a helical gear 50 provided on the pump shaft 10 with a helical gear 49 supported on the valve plate 27, and transmitting this thrust force from the ball bearing 46 to the first case half 42. Thus, it is possible to reduce a tensile force which acts on the casing of an axial piston machine.

Abstract: In a hydraulic/mechanical transmitting system, an input shaft of a power dividing device and a power collecting shaft coupled to a motor cylinder are disposed coaxially with each other. The power dividing device includes a first output member which is carried on an outer periphery of the power collecting shaft and operatively connected to a pump shaft parallel to the power collecting shaft, and a second output shaft which is fixedly mounted on the power collecting shaft. Thus, the number of the parallel shafts can be decreased to provide a simplified and compact structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic/mechanical transmission device for providing variable speed change ratios with a decreased number of parallel shafts and a simplified and compact structure. A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a hydraulic pump 24 with a pump cylinder block 28 and a hydraulic motor 25 with a motor cylinder block 34. An input shaft 9 and first and second output shafts 10.sub.1 and 10.sub.2 of a power dividing device 3 are coaxially disposed. The first output shaft 10.sub.1, is coaxially connected to the pump cylinder block 28 of the hydraulic pump 24. A power collecting shaft 17 is disposed parallel to the first and second output shafts 10.sub.1 and 10.sub.2 and coaxially connected to the motor cylinder block 34 of the hydraulic motor 25.

Abstract: In order to achieve a gear ratio control of a continuously variable transmission, a transmission gear ratio is controlled based on a difference between an actual engine speed and a target engine speed to be set in response to a first parameter corresponding to an accelerator opening. When controlling the transmission gear ratio, a plurality of change characteristics of the transmission gear ratio are set for, in particular, the kickdown gear shifting. In response to a second parameter representing the driver's demand for a traveling condition, a change characteristic of the transmission gear ratio is selected from among the plurality of change characteristics of the transmission gear ratio, to execute the speed ratio control in accordance with the thus selected change characteristic of the transmission gear ratio when a kickdown gear shifting is needed.