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).

  • Patent number: 12654537
    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 is provided for operating a motor vehicle transmission and a drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12600228
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (2) includes a first drive input shaft (9), a second drive input shaft (10), a first planetary gearset (P1), and a second planetary gearset (P2), where the drive input shafts (9, 10) are each designed to be coupled to a respective drive machine. Furthermore, at least functionally, three shifting elements are provided, in the form of a first shifting element (B), a second shifting element (D), and a third shifting element (E). Further, a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle, and a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2025
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12571460
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission has a first, second, and third shifting elements. First and second planetary gearsets each have a sun shaft, a ring gear shaft, and a web shaft. The first sun shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the second sun shaft and form the drive input. The first web shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the second ring gear shaft, which is configured as the drive output. The shift elements are combined to form a shifting unit with five shift positions and having a single axially displaceable sliding sleeve. In the closed condition of the first shifting element, the first web shaft and the second ring gear shaft are connected to a stationary component. In the closed condition of the second shifting element, the first ring gear shaft is connected to a stationary component. In the closed condition of the third shifting element, the planetary gearsets are blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12523276
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12516717
    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), a second planetary gearset (P2) and a third planetary gearset (P3), where the drive input shafts (9, 10) are designed in each case for coupling to a respective drive machine. In addition, at least four shifting elements in the form of a first shifting element (B), a second shifting element (C), a third shifting element (E), and a fourth shifting element (F) are provided, at least functionally. The motor vehicle transmission can be part of a drive unit (1), a vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle and the subject of a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20260001617
    Abstract: A propulsion unit includes a crank device (3) for receiving muscle power and a speed modulation gear (1) for transmitting the muscle power onto an output gear (10) for propelling a vehicle. An electric machine (2) and a housing (6) can be mounted on the vehicle for accommodating at least some elements of the propulsion unit. The speed modulation gear (1) is in the form of a stepped planetary gear set with at least one stepped planetary gear (15), corresponding ring gears (12, 14), and an input element. The crank device (3) is couplable to one of the ring gears (12, 14), and an output element (22) of the electric machine (2) is coupled to the input element. The speed modulation gear (1) is mounted rotatably with respect to the housing (6) such that rotation of the electric machine (2) and rotation of the crank device (3) can be superimposed and transmitted onto the output gear (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Philipp Rechenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 12508892
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12449027
    Abstract: An electric transmission (16) for a motor vehicle drive train (12) includes a transmission input shaft (24) for operatively connecting the electric transmission to an electric prime mover (14), a reduction gear (26) for reducing a rotational speed of the electric prime mover, a transmission (28) for establishing gear steps, including a first planetary gear set (RS1) and a second planetary gear set (RS2), a first output shaft (34) and a second output shaft (36) for transmitting drive power from the electric transmission, and a plurality of shift elements (B, C, D) for engaging the gear steps. A planet carrier of the first planetary gear set is drivingly connected to a planet carrier of the second planetary gear set, and a sun gear of the first planetary gear set is drivingly connected to a ring gear of the second planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lübke, Thomas Riedisser, Thomas Schneider, Martin Brehmer, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter
  • Patent number: 12441171
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12428105
    Abstract: A planetary-type bottom-bracket transmission for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a pedal crank shaft, a transmission output shaft, further shafts, and a first transmission shift group and a second transmission shift group. The first transmission shift group and the second transmission shift group are coupled to each other for implementing a plurality of gear ratios. The first transmission shift group includes a two-step stepped planetary gear set that is assigned a first shifting element, a second shifting element and a fifth shifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Thomas Riedisser
  • Publication number: 20250282215
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (2) includes a first drive input shaft (9), a second drive input shaft (10), a first planetary gearset (P1), and a second planetary gearset (P2), where the drive input shafts (9, 10) are each designed to be coupled to a respective drive machine. Furthermore, at least functionally, three shifting elements are provided, in the form of a first shifting element (B), a second shifting element (D), and a third shifting element (E). Further, a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle, and a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2025
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 12404915
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner
  • 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: 12344098
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    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: 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: 20250198485
    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), where the drive input shafts (9, 10) are each provided for coupling to a respective drive machine. Furthermore, a first shifting device (26) and a second shifting device (27) are provided. In addition, the invention relates to a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle and methods for operating a motor vehicle transmission and a drive unit.
    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 Renner, Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger
  • 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: 20250198486
    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 (PI), a second planetary gearset (P2) and a third planetary gearset (P3), where the drive input shafts (9, 10) are designed in each case for coupling to a respective drive machine. In addition, at least four shifting elements in the form of a first shifting element (B), a second shifting element (C), a third shifting element (E), and a fourth shifting element (F) are provided, at least functionally. The motor vehicle transmission can be part of a drive unit (1), a vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle and the subject of a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission.
    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 Renner
  • Publication number: 20250180101
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission has a first, second, and third shifting elements. First and second planetary gearsets each have a sun shaft, a ring gear shaft, and a web shaft. The first sun shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the second sun shaft and form the drive input. The first web shaft is connected rotationally fixed to the second ring gear shaft, which is configured as the drive output. The shift elements are combined to form a shifting unit with five shift positions and having a single axially displaceable sliding sleeve. In the closed condition of the first shifting element, the first web shaft and the second ring gear shaft are connected to a stationary component. In the closed condition of the second shifting element, the first ring gear shaft is connected to a stationary component. In the closed condition of the third shifting element, the planetary gearsets are blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner