Patents by Inventor Fabian Kutter

Fabian Kutter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250251033
    Abstract: A gearbox has an input shaft, an output shaft, three shifting elements, and three planetary gearsets each having a sun shaft, ring gear shaft, and web shaft. The first sun shaft, the second sun shaft, and the input shaft are connected rotationally fixed. Rotationally fixed connections are made between the first ring gear shaft and a stationary component, the first web shaft and the second ring gear shaft, the second web shaft and the third sun shaft, and the third web shaft and the output shaft. Closing the first shifting element connects the third ring gear shaft rotationally fixed to a stationary component. Closing the second shifting element connects in a rotationally fixed manner the first web shaft, the second ring gear shaft, the third web shaft, and the output shaft. Closing the third shifting element connects rotationally fixed two of the three shafts of the third planetary gearset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20250249739
    Abstract: A vehicle gearbox has an input shaft for an electric machine, an output shaft, an interlocking shifting unit having first and second shifting elements, and a single axially displaceable sliding sleeve. First and second planetary gearsets each have a sun shaft, a ring gear shaft, and a web shaft. The first sun shaft, the second sun shaft, and the drive input shaft are connected rotationally fixed to one another, the first ring gear shaft is connected rotationally fixed to a stationary component; and the first web shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the second ring gear shaft. Closing the first shifting element engages a first gear where the first web shaft, second ring gear shaft, and output shaft connected rotationally fixed to one another. Closing the second shifting element engages a second gear where the second web shaft and output shaft are connected rotationally fixed to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner, Kai Bornträger
  • Patent number: 12337931
    Abstract: A bottom bracket gear mechanism for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a gear mechanism shifting group in which a second element of the first gear set is connected to a first shaft, a third element of the first gear set is connected via a fourth shaft to a second element of the second gear set, and a first element of the first gear set is connected to a fifth shaft. A first element of the second gear set is fixable via a third shaft and the second shifting element. The third shaft is connectable to the fifth shaft via the sixth shifting element. The third element of the second gear set is fixable via a second shaft and via the first shifting element. The second shaft is connectable to the first shaft via the fifth shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20250196611
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (2) has a first drive input shaft (9), a second drive input shaft (10), a drive output shaft (11), and a first planetary gearset (P1) and a second planetary gearset (P2). The drive input shafts (9, 10) are designed to be coupled in each case to a respective drive machine. In addition, a first shifting device (26) and a second shifting device (27) are provided. The motor vehicle transmission can be part of a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, or a hybrid or electric vehicle. A method for operating a motor vehicle transmission and a drive unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20250153807
    Abstract: A bottom bracket transmission with a planetary design for a bicycle or a pedelec (1) includes a pedal crankshaft (WAn), a transmission output shaft (WAb), further shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7), and a first transmission shifting group (3) and a second transmission shifting group (4) coupled together for implementing a plurality of gears (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12). The first transmission shifting group (3) includes a two-stage stepped planetary gear set (StRS1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Thomas Riedisser
  • Publication number: 20250153806
    Abstract: A planetary-type bottom-bracket transmission for a bicycle or a pedelec (1), includes a pedal crank shaft (WAn), a transmission output shaft (WAb), further shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7), and a first transmission shift group (3) and a second transmission shift group (4) that are coupled to each other in order to implement a plurality of gear ratios (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12). The first transmission shift group (3) includes a two-step stepped planetary gear set (StRS) that is assigned a first shifting element (B1), a second shifting element (B2) and a fifth shifting element (F1I, F1II, F1III, F1IV, F1V, F1VI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Thomas Riedisser
  • Patent number: 12296919
    Abstract: A bottom bracket planetary gear mechanism for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a gear mechanism shifting group having first and second planetary gear sets and first, second, and fifth shifting elements. A second element of the first gear set is connected to a first shaft, a first element of the first gear set is connected via a fourth shaft to a first element of the second gear set, and a third element of the first gear set is fixable via a second shaft and a first shifting element. The third element of the first gear set is connected via the second shaft to a second element of the second gear set. A third element of the second gear set is fixable via a third shaft and a second shifting element. A fifth shifting element blocks the first and second gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20250121671
    Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (VM) coaxial to the first axis (A1), at least one first electric machine (EM1) and one second electric machine (EM2), and a transmission arrangement (G) connectable to an output (Ab). The first electric machine (EM1) has larger dimensions than the second electric machine (EM2). The second electric machine (EM2) is connectable at least to the internal combustion engine (VM), and the first electric machine (EM1) is connectable at least to the transmission arrangement (G). The first electric machine (EM1) and the second electric machine (EM2) are coaxial to the first axis (A1). The first electric machine (EM1) and the second electric machine (EM2) are radially nested, or the first electric machine (EM1), when viewed axially, is associated with the internal combustion engine and the second electric machine (2), when viewed axially, is associated with the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier
  • Publication number: 20240418244
    Abstract: A vehicle drive unit has an electric machine and a manual gearbox with first and second shift elements and two planetary gear sets coupled to one another. Each gear set has a sun shaft, a ring gear shaft, and a web shaft. The second sun shaft is drivable by the electric machine and is configured as an output of the shift gear. The second ring gear shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the first web shaft, and the first sun shaft is connected rotationally fixed to a stationary component. When actuated, the first shift element connects the first ring gear shaft to an element of the first planetary gear set and/or of the second planetary gear set. When actuated, the second shift element connects the first ring gear shaft rotationally fixed to the second sun shaft or the second web shaft in order to shift a second gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20240416747
    Abstract: A drive unit for a vehicle includes an electric machine and a manual gearbox with at least a first shift element, a second shift element, a third shift element and two planetary gear sets coupled to one another and each having a sun shaft, a hollow gear shaft, and a web shaft. The second hollow gear shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the first web shaft. The first sun shaft is connected to a stationary component. In the respective actuated states, the first shift element locks the first planetary gear set to shift a first gear, the second shift element connects the first hollow gear shaft to the second web shaft to shift a second gear, and the third shift element connects the first hollow gear shaft to the second sun shaft to shift a third gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20240383572
    Abstract: A bottom bracket planetary gear mechanism for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a gear mechanism shifting group having first and second planetary gear sets and first, second, and fifth shifting elements. A second element of the first gear set is connected to a first shaft, a first element of the first gear set is connected via a fourth shaft to a first element of the second gear set, and a third element of the first gear set is fixable via a second shaft and a first shifting element. The third element of the first gear set is connected via the second shaft to a second element of the second gear set. A third element of the second gear set is fixable via a third shaft and a second shifting element. A fifth shifting element blocks the first and second gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20240383571
    Abstract: A bottom bracket gear mechanism for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a gear mechanism shifting group in which a second element of the first gear set is connected to a first shaft, a third element of the first gear set is connected via a fourth shaft to a second element of the second gear set, and a first element of the first gear set is connected to a fifth shaft. A first element of the second gear set is fixable via a third shaft and the second shifting element. The third shaft is connectable to the fifth shaft via the sixth shifting element. The third element of the second gear set is fixable via a second shaft and via the first shifting element. The second shaft is connectable to the first shaft via the fifth shifting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20240359769
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive device (1) for a muscle-powered vehicle is provided. The drive device (1) includes a pedal shaft (2), a superposition gear unit (6) as a planetary transmission with a first element (7), a second element (8), and a third element (10), an output gear (5) mechanically operatively connectable to a wheel (42) of the muscle-powered vehicle, and an electric machine (12). The pedal shaft (2) is mechanically connected to the second element (8), the output gear (5) is mechanically connected to the third element (10), and the electric machine (12) is mechanically connected to the first element (7). The method includes detecting (I) the actual rotational speed of the output gear (5), determining (II) a target rotational speed of the pedal shaft (2), and controlling (III) the electric machine (12) based on the detected actual rotational speed and the determined target rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Fabian Kutter, Uwe Griesmeier, Philipp Rechenbach, Thomas Hodrius, Günter Riess
  • Publication number: 20240351425
    Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coaxial to a first axis, a first electric machine, and a second electric machine. The first electric machine has larger dimensions than the second electric machine. The second electric machine is connectable to the internal combustion engine. A rotor axis of the first electric machine is axially offset from a rotor axis of the second electric machine. Additionally, the drive train includes a transmission arrangement connectable to a drive output, with the first electric machine being connectable to the transmission arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier
  • Patent number: 12122242
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hybrid transmission device for an internal combustion engine transmission arrangement of a motor vehicle. The hybrid transmission device comprises at least one transmission input shaft, at least one drive device and at least one connecting clutch for connecting two shafts for conjoint rotation. The hybrid transmission device comprises no more than two gear stages. The disclosure additionally relates to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Max Bachmann, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Matthias Hom, Fabian Kutter, Oliver Bayer, Thomas Kroh, Thomas Martin, Reinhard Vollmar, Juri Pawlakowitsch
  • Publication number: 20240336124
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (3) includes a drive shaft (6), an output shaft (7), and a first planetary gear set (P1), a second planetary gear set (P2) and a third planetary gear set (P3). The drive shaft (6) is provided for coupling to at least one drive engine. Furthermore, exactly one first shifting element (B) and one second shifting element (A) are provided, at least functionally, for the representation of different force flow paths between the drive shaft (6) and the output shaft (7) via the planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3). The invention also relates to a drive unit (1), an electrically driven motor vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle and a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20240336125
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (3) includes a drive shaft (6), an output shaft (7), and a first planetary gear set (P1), a second planetary gear set (P2), and a third planetary gear set (P3). The drive shaft (6) is provided for coupling to at least one drive engine. The first planetary gear set (P1) is positioned axially at least overlapping with the second planetary gear set (P2) and is arranged radially on the inside of the second planetary gear set (P2). Furthermore, a shift element (A) is provided at least functionally. The invention also relates to a drive unit (1), an electrically drivable motor vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle and a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20240239180
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (1) includes a first transmission input shaft (2), a second transmission input shaft (4), a superposition gear unit (6) arranged axially parallel to the first transmission input shaft (2) and to the second transmission input shaft (4) and configured for connecting an electric machine (5). The superposition gear unit (6) includes a first planetary gear set (P1) with a sun gear (P11), a ring gear (P12), and a planet carrier (P13) with planet gears (P14) rotatably arranged thereon. A gear reduction stage (7) includes a first spur gear pair (ST1) and a second spur gear pair (ST2) for connecting the superposition gear unit (6) to a differential (8). At least a first shift element (A), a second shift element (B), and a third shift element (C) are configured for implementing an electrodynamic driving-off process and a purely electric or hybridized drive of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Martin Brehmer, Max Bachmann, Peter Ziemer, Christian Michel, Matthias Horn, Mladjan Radic, Ingo Pfannkuchen
  • Patent number: 11846342
    Abstract: A transmission where a first shaft is rotationally fixable to a third shaft and to a second shaft, the second and third shafts are rotationally connectable to a fourth shaft, the second shaft is rotationally connectable to a fifth shaft, the fourth shaft is rotationally connectable to the fifth shaft, the third shaft is rotationally connectable to the fifth shaft, fixed gears of the fourth and fifth shafts are rotationally connected to a drive output, a first gearwheel of the sixth shaft meshes with a fixed gear of the second shaft, and a second gearwheel of the sixth shaft meshes with a fixed gear of the third shaft. Moreover, a first gearwheel of the sixth shaft is an idler gear and a second gearwheel of the sixth shaft is a fixed gear, or vice versa. Additionally, the idler gear of the sixth shaft is rotationally fixable to the sixth shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Max Bachmann, Thomas Rosemeier, Michael Roske, Matthias Reisch, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Martin Rattay, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Fabian Kutter
  • Patent number: 11807102
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain and a powertrain including a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has a first sun gear, a first ring gear, a second ring gear, and stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first ring gear is fixed with respect to rotation to an output shaft of the gear unit. The second ring gear is fixed with respect to rotation to a housing. The first gear shifting element drivingly connects the first sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element drivingly connects the first planet carrier to the electric machine in a closed state, and one of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt