Automatic transmission apparatus

1. An automatic transmission apparatus, having:

an input shaft connected to a power source installed in a vehicle;

an output shaft connected to driven wheels;

a continuously variable transmission equipped with a drive pulley connected through a first clutch to the input shaft, a driven pulley connected through a second clutch to the output shaft, and an endless flexible member wound therearound;

a direct coupling mechanism that is arranged in parallel to the continuously variable transmission and directly connects the input shaft and the output shaft to transmit rotation of the input shaft to the output shaft at a predetermined transmission ratio; and

a controller that controls establishing of a first power transmission system by means of the continuously variable transmission and a second power transmission system by means of the direct coupling mechanism;

wherein the improvement comprises:

the predetermined transmission ratio of the direct coupling mechanism is set to a minimum transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission;

the direct coupling mechanism is connected to the input shaft through a third clutch; and

the controller connects the first clutch and the second clutch and disconnects the third clutch when establishing the first power transmission system, while connecting the third clutch and disconnecting the first clutch and the second clutch when establishing the second power transmission system.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller connects the third clutch and disconnects the first clutch if it is determined that the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission in the first power transmission system is substantially coincident with the minimum transmission ratio when establishing the second power transmission system, and then disconnects the second clutch gradually when the second power transmission system has been established.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller gradually connects the second clutch when the second power transmission system has been established, and then disconnects the third clutch and connects the first clutch if it is determine that the rotational speed of the direct coupling mechanism is substantial synchronized with the rotational speed of the continuously variable transmission when establishing the first power transmission system.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the continuously variable transmission is a transmission operated when supplied with hydraulic oil to the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and the controller lowers the pressure of the hydraulic oil to be supplied to the drive pulley and the driven pulley to a predetermined pressure when the second power transmission system has been established.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined pressure is set to a pressure sufficient for maintaining the transmission ratio.

6. A method for controlling an automatic transmission apparatus, having:

an input shaft connected to a power source installed in a vehicle;

an output shaft connected to driven wheels;

a continuously variable transmission equipped with a drive pulley connected through a first clutch to the input shaft, a driven pulley connected through a second clutch to the output shaft, and an endless flexible member wound therearound;

a direct coupling mechanism that is arranged in parallel to the continuously variable transmission and directly connects the input shaft and the output shaft to transmit rotation of the input shaft to the output shaft at a predetermined transmission ratio; and

controlling establishing of a first power transmission system by means of the continuously variable transmission and a second power transmission system by means of the direct coupling mechanism;

wherein the improvement comprises:

the predetermined transmission ratio of the direct coupling mechanism is set to a minimum transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission;

the direct coupling mechanism is connected to the input shaft through a third clutch; and

the step of controlling connects the first clutch and the second clutch and disconnects the third clutch when establishing the first power transmission system, while connecting the third clutch and disconnecting the first clutch and the second clutch when establishing the second power transmission system.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the step of controlling connects the third clutch and disconnects the first clutch if it is determined that the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission in the first power transmission system is substantially coincident with the minimum transmission ratio when establishing the second power transmission system, and then disconnects the second clutch gradually when the second power transmission system has been established.

8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the step of controlling gradually connects the second clutch when the second power transmission system has been established, and then disconnects the third clutch and connects the first clutch if it is determine that the rotational speed of the direct coupling mechanism is substantial synchronized with the rotational speed of the continuously variable transmission when establishing the first power transmission system.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the continuously variable transmission is a transmission operated when supplied with hydraulic oil to the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and the step of controlling lowers the pressure of the hydraulic oil to be supplied to the drive pulley and the driven pulley to a predetermined pressure when the second power transmission system has been established.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the predetermined pressure is set to a pressure sufficient for maintaining the transmission ratio.