A plurality of virtual gear positions are established by an electric continuously variable transmission, and the number of speeds of the virtual gear positions is equal to or larger than the number of speeds of mechanical gear positions of a mechanical stepwise variable transmission. One virtual gear position or two or more virtual gear positions is/are assigned to each mechanical gear position, and the mechanical gear position is shifted in the same timing as shift timing of the virtual gear position. The virtual gear positions assigned to each mechanical gear position when the mechanical gear position is upshifted are different from the virtual gear positions assigned to each mechanical gear position when the mechanical gear position is downshifted. Thus, the amount of heat generated in frictional engagement elements of the mechanical stepwise variable transmission is prevented from being increased.

An actuator for adjusting a seat includes a motor, a gear-box, and an output member. The gear-box includes a casing accommodating a two stage gear train connecting the motor to the output member. The gear train has a first and second transmission mechanisms. The first transmission mechanism includes a worm on a shaft of the motor, and a worm wheel meshed with the worm. The second transmission mechanism is a movable teeth gear transmission mechanism and has an eccentric wheel that rotates with the worm wheel, an internally toothed ring gear fixed to the casing, a fluted disc with radial grooves formed in its outer periphery, and rollers mounted in the radial grooves. The eccentric wheel drives the rollers to mesh with the ring gear to rotate the fluted disc, to drive the output member.

In a vehicle including an engine, drive wheels, a power transmission system, and an electronic control unit, during shifting of an automatic transmission, a hydraulic command value of a clutch is set to a higher value as an engine power command value is larger, so that a shift or change of the speed ratio proceeds in an electronic continuously variable transmission and the automatic transmission, in accordance with engine power as a product of the engine speed and engine torque, rather than torque of the engine, etc.

A plurality of virtual gear positions are established by an electric continuously variable transmission, and the number of speeds of the virtual gear positions is equal to or larger than the number of speeds of mechanical gear positions of a mechanical stepwise variable transmission. One or two or more virtual gear positions is/are assigned to each mechanical gear position, and shifts among the mechanical gear positions are performed in the same timing as the shift timing of the virtual gear positions. Thus, shifting of the mechanical stepwise variable transmission is accompanied by change of the engine speed Ne, and the driver is less likely to feel uncomfortable even if shift shock occurs during shifting of the mechanical stepwise variable transmission.

A family of transmission gearing arrangements each establish at least one reverse gear ratio and between nine and fifteen forward gear ratios. A shiftable gearing arrangement establishes a variety of speed ratios between the input and a first shaft. In some embodiments, a fixed speed ratio is established upstream or downstream of the shiftable gearing arrangement. In reverse and low gear ratios, a low clutch couples the first shaft to the output. In the high gear ratios, a combining planetary gear set establishes a linear speed relationship between the first shaft, a second shaft rotating at a speed proportional to the input, and the output.

A control device that includes an electronic control unit that is programmed to: perform shift device shift control in order to change a speed ratio, which is a ratio of a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine to a rotational speed of the output member, by changing at least the shift speed that is established by the shift device; and perform differential gear shift control in in order to change the speed ratio by changing rotational speeds of the first rotary element and the second rotary element of the differential gear unit without changing the shift speed that is established by the shift device.

An axle assembly having a gear reduction unit that is configured to operatively connect an electric motor to a drive pinion. The gear reduction unit includes at least two gear sets. At least one clutch is engageable to provide a torque path between the electric motor and the drive pinion.

A driving force transmitting apparatus includes first and second planetary gear units and switching and urging members. The first planetary gear unit includes a first mesh gear and a first locked gear provided with first locked portions. The second planetary gear unit includes a second locked gear provided with second locked portions, and a second mesh gear meshing with the first mesh gear. The switching member includes first and second locking portions and can move to (i) a first stop position at which the first locking portion stop the first locked gear, and, urged by the urging member, (ii) a second stop position at which the second locking portion stops the second locked gear. An interval between the second locked portions in a rotational direction of the second locked gear is larger than an interval between the first locked portions in a rotational direction of the first locked gear.

An axle assembly that includes a sector cam. The sector cam may be rotatable about a sector cam axis and may be operatively connected to first and second shift collars. Rotation of the sector cam about the sector cam axis may control movement of the first and second shift collars.

A power shiftable multi-stage transmission of a planetary design and disposed between an input drive shaft and an output shaft for a vehicle. The multi-stage transmission has two parallel shaft trains, six shift elements, at least two spur gear stages and three planetary gear sets. Each of the planetary gear sets has a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier combined in a carrier having multiple planetary gears. The two shaft trains may be connected to one another via the at least two spur gear stages. Different transmission ratios, between the input drive shaft and the output shaft, may be achieved by selective engagement of the six shift elements such that a plurality of forward gears, at least nine forward gears, and at least one reverse gear, may be implemented.