Patent ID: 7467564

Claim:
An actuation system for producing gear changes in a multiple gear transmission for a motor vehicle comprising: a first electric motor including a first motor shaft supported for rotation about a first axis; a second electric motor including a second motor shaft supported for rotation; first and second actuator drums supported for rotation substantially parallel to the first axis; a first drum and a second drum aligned mutually and supported for rotation about a third axis; a third drum and a fourth drum aligned mutually and supported for rotation about a fourth axis, the first and fourth drums being associated with odd numbered gears, the second and third drums being associated with even numbered gears and a reverse gear; a first drive mechanism including a first power path comprising a first pinion driveably connected to the first motor and located in a first plane, a first gear engaged with the first pinion and located in the first plane, and first layshaft gearing located in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane and driveably connecting the first gear to the first drum and the fourth drum; and a second drive mechanism including a second power path comprising a second pinion driveably connected to the second motor and located in a third plane, a second gear engaged with the second pinion and located in the third plane, and second layshaft gearing located in a fourth plane substantially parallel to the second plane and driveably connecting the second gear to the second drum and the third drum.