Patents by Inventor Kai Borntrager

Kai Borntrager 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: 11962189
    Abstract: A stator (1a, 1 b) for an electric machine. The stator (1a, 1b) is fixedly mounted relative to a rotational axis (Rot). The stator (1a, 1b) comprises a stator yoke (2) that extends in the axial (A) and radial (R) directions. Stator teeth (3), facing toward the rotational axis (Rot), are arranged in a ring shape on the stator yoke (2). The teeth are uniformly spaced apart from one another so that a stator groove (14) is formed therebetween. The stator (1a, 1b) is divided into a first stator section (5) and a second stator section (6). First and second outer walls (9, 10) are provided on the stator yoke (2) and serve to axially support the stator yoke (2). A cooling manifold disk (11) is integrated between the first stator section (5) and the second stator section (6). An electric machine with a stator of that type is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Rayk Gersten, David Wörzler, Stefan Spühler, Martin Jelinewski, Johannes Glückler, Timo Hele, Kai Bornträger
  • Publication number: 20240068544
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (1) has a drive input shaft (15), a drive output shaft (16) and a first planetary gearset (P1), and a second planetary gearset (P2), where the drive input shaft (15) is provided for coupling to a drive machine. In addition, a first shifting element (A) and a second shifting element (B) are provided, at least functionally. Also disclosed are a drive unit (5), a motor vehicle drivetrain, a hybrid or electric vehicle, and a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20240066971
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (1) has a drive input shaft (15), a drive output shaft (16), a first planetary gearset (P1), and a second planetary gearset (P2). The drive input shaft (15) is provided for coupling to a drive machine. In addition, a first shifting element (A) and a second shifting element (B) are provided, at least functionally. Also disclosed is a drive unit (5), a motor vehicle drivetrain, a hybrid or electric vehicle, and a method for operating a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 11846343
    Abstract: A drive axle of an electric vehicle has first and a second drive wheels (R1, R2) with wheel axles (a1, a2), a first electric machine (EM1) and a second electric machine (EM2) with a common rotation axis (m), a transmission (G3) with a transmission input shaft (EW) and a transmission output shaft (AW), and an axle differential (DI) with a differential input (DIK) and two differential output shafts (3a, 3b). The first electric machine (EM1) is connected to the transmission input shaft (EW) and the transmission output shaft (AW) is connected to the differential input (DIK). The second electric machine (EM2) can be connected as an additional drive when necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Stefan Spühler, Stefan Renner, Michael Trübenbach, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 11780328
    Abstract: A drive device for an electrically driven axle of a motor vehicle may include at least one electric machine, a shiftable transmission connected downstream from the at least one electric machine, and a differential coupled to the transmission for distributing drive torque to the axle. The transmission has first and second planetary gear sets connected in series. The at least one electric machine engages with an external toothing of a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. A carrier of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set. A sun gear of the first planetary gear set is detachably couplable to a housing. A ring gear of the second planetary gear set is coupled to the housing. A carrier of the second planetary gear set is an output of the transmission. The first planetary gear set is interlockable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ZF DRIVETECH (SUZHOU) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Frank Seemann, Paul Lenz, Andreas Grossl, Werner Hechberger, Kai Bornträger, Maik Wörl, Marco Di Sarno, Cong Ren
  • Patent number: 11760179
    Abstract: A drive axle for an electric vehicle which comprises first and second electric machines (EM1, EM2), first and second drive wheels (R1, R2) and first and second two-speed transmissions (G1, G2) each having the same gear ratios. The first electric machine (EM1) drives the first drive wheel (R1) by way of the first two-speed transmission (G1) and the second electric machine (EM2) drives the second drive wheel (R2) by way of the second two-speed transmission (G2). The first and the second two-speed transmissions (G1, G2) each comprise a first planetary gearset (PS1) and a second planetary gearset (PS2) coupled to one another. The first planetary gearset (PS1) and the second planetary gearset (PS2) each comprise a web shaft (ST1, ST2), a ring-gear shaft (HR1, HR2) and a sun-gear shaft (SO1, SO2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Spühler, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Renner, Michael Trübenbach
  • Patent number: 11732780
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric vehicle transmission (6?) comprising a drive input shaft (11), a drive output shaft (13), a first planetary gearset (15), and a second planetary gearset (16). The drive input shaft (11) is provided for connection to an electric machine (7), where each of the first planetary gearset (15) and the second planetary gearset (16) includes a first element (17, 18), a second element (19, 20) and a third element (21, 22), respectively. A first shifting element (A) and a second shifting element (B?) are provided, by the selective actuation of which the drive input shaft (11) can be connected to the drive output shaft (13) by means of the planetary gearsets (15, 16) by engaging a gear. Also disclosed is a drive module (2?) with such an electric vehicle transmission (6?) and a method for operating an electric vehicle transmission (6?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Blattner, Dennis Wohlfahrt, Thorsten Leim, Kai Bornträger
  • Publication number: 20220364631
    Abstract: A drive axle of an electric vehicle has first and a second drive wheels (R1, R2) with wheel axles (a1, a2), a first electric machine (EM1) and a second electric machine (EM2) with a common rotation axis (m), a transmission (G3) with a transmission input shaft (EW) and a transmission output shaft (AW), and an axle differential (DI) with a differential input (DIK) and two differential output shafts (3a, 3b). The first electric machine (EM1) is connected to the transmission input shaft (EW) and the transmission output shaft (AW) is connected to the differential input (DIK). The second electric machine (EM2) can be connected as an additional drive when necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Stefan Spühler, Stefan Renner, Michael Trübenbach, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Patent number: 11472277
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for an element vehicle, having first and second drive wheels (R1, R2), a first electric machine (EM1) and a second electric machine (EM2) with a common rotational axis (m), a manual transmission (G3) with a transmission input shaft (EW) and a transmission output shaft (AW) and an axle differential (DI) with a differential input (DIK) and two differential output shafts (3a, 3b). The first electric machine (EM1) is connected to the transmission input shaft (EW) and the transmission output shaft (AW) is connected to the differential input (DIK), and the second electric machine (EM2) can, if necessary, be engaged as an additional drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner, Stefan Spühler, Michael Trübenbach, Johannes Kaltenbach
  • Publication number: 20220307573
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric vehicle transmission (6?) comprising a drive input shaft (11), a drive output shaft (13), a first planetary gearset (15), and a second planetary gearset (16). The drive input shaft (11) is provided for connection to an electric machine (7), where each of the first planetary gearset (15) and the second planetary gearset (16) includes a first element (17, 18), a second element (19, 20) and a third element (21, 22), respectively. A first shifting element (A) and a second shifting element (B?) are provided, by the selective actuation of which the drive input shaft (11) can be connected to the drive output shaft (13) by means of the planetary gearsets (15, 16) by engaging a gear. Also disclosed is a drive module (2?) with such an electric vehicle transmission (6?) and a method for operating an electric vehicle transmission (6?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Blattner, Dennis Wohlfahrt, Thorsten Leim, Kai Bornträger
  • Publication number: 20220250457
    Abstract: A drive axle for an electric vehicle which comprises first and second electric machines (EM1, EM2), first and second drive wheels (R1, R2) and first and second two-speed transmissions (G1, G2) each having the same gear ratios. The first electric machine (EM1) drives the first drive wheel (R1) by way of the first two-speed transmission (G1) and the second electric machine (EM2) drives the second drive wheel (R2) by way of the second two-speed transmission (G2). The first and the second two-speed transmissions (G1, G2) each comprise a first planetary gearset (PS1) and a second planetary gearset (PS2) coupled to one another. The first planetary gearset (PS1) and the second planetary gearset (PS2) each comprise a web shaft (ST1, ST2), a ring-gear shaft (HR1, HR2) and a sun-gear shaft (SO1, SO2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Johannes GLÜCKLER, Kai BORNTRÄGER, Stefan SPÜHLER, Johannes KALTENBACH, Stefan RENNER, Michael TRÜBENBACH
  • Publication number: 20220200370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stator (1a, 1b) for an electric machine, wherein the stator (1a, 1b) is mounted rotatably around a rotation axis (Rot) by which an axial direction (A) is defined, wherein the stator (1a, 1b) comprises a stator yoke (2) that extends in the axial direction (A) and in a radial direction (R) relative thereto, wherein on the stator yoke (2), along the axial direction (A) stator teeth (3) facing toward the rotation axis (Rot) are arranged in a ring shape, which teeth are uniformly spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction (U), so that a stator groove (14) is formed between radially adjacent stator teeth (3), and wherein the stator (1a, 1b) is divided axially in the middle into a first stator section (5) and a second stator section (6), wherein on the stator yoke (2), at the end on the first stator section (5) a first outer wall (9) that extends radially and, opposite it, at the end a radially extending second outer wall (10) are provided, each serving as axial suppor
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Rayk GERSTEN, David WÖRZLER, Stefan SPÜHLER, Martin JELINEWSKI, Johannes GLÜCKLER, Timo HELE, Kai BORNTRÄGER
  • Patent number: 11193559
    Abstract: A transmission having planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RS5). Elements (ST2, ST4) of gearsets (RS2, RS4) form input and output shafts, respectively. Element (SO1) of gearset (RS1) couples element (HO5) of gearset (RS5) and can be immobilized by shift element (A). Element (ST1) of gearset (RS1) couples element (HO4) of gearset (RS4). Element (HO1) of gearset (RS1) can be immobilized by shift element (B). Elements (SO4, ST2) of gearsets (RS4 RS2) can connect by shift element (C). Elements (HO2, SO3, SO5) of gearsets (RS2, RS3, RS5) couple and can couple element (SO4) of gearset (RS4) by shift element (E). An element of gearset (RS4) is connected to an element of gearset (RS3), while another element of gearset (RS4) can be connected by shift element (D) to another element of gearset (RS3). Elements (SO2 ST5) of gearsets (RS2, RS5) are connected and can be immobilized by shift element (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Andreas Beisswenger, Christoph Margraf, Stefan Brom, Kai Bornträger, Michael Trübenbach, Johannes Glückler
  • Publication number: 20210347253
    Abstract: A drive device for an electrically driven axle of a motor vehicle may include at least one electric machine, a shiftable transmission connected downstream from the at least one electric machine, and a differential coupled to the transmission for distributing drive torque to the axle. The transmission has first and second planetary gear sets connected in series. The at least one electric machine engages with an external toothing of a ring gear of the first planetary gear set. A carrier of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set. A sun gear of the first planetary gear set is detachably couplable to a housing. A ring gear of the second planetary gear set is coupled to the housing. A carrier of the second planetary gear set is an output of the transmission. The first planetary gear set is interlockable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Seemann, Paul Lenz, Andreas Grossl, Werner Hechberger, Kai Bornträger, Maik Wörl, Marco Di Sarno, Cong Ren
  • Patent number: 11135914
    Abstract: A drive axle of an electrically drivable vehicle including first and second drive wheels (R1, R2), first and second manual transmissions (G1, G2) and first and second electrical machines (EM1, EM2) which each have a respective drive shaft (1a, 1b). The first electrical machine (EM1) drives the first drive wheel (R1), via the first manual transmission (G1), and the second electrical machine (EM2) drives the second drive wheel (R2), via the second manual transmission (G2). The manual transmissions are each designed as three-speed transmissions (G1, G2) which have identical transmission ratios (i1, i2, i3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner, Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Spühler, Kai Bornträger
  • Patent number: 11124064
    Abstract: A drive unit for an electric vehicle, having an electric machine and a three-speed shift transmission with first, second and third shift elements, and two planetary sets which are coupled with each other. The first planetary set has a first sun gear shaft, first ring gear shaft and a first carrier shaft. The second planetary set has a second sun gear shaft, a second ring gear shaft and second carrier shaft. The first carrier shaft is fixed to the second ring gear shaft. The first sun gear shaft can be driven by an electric machine. The first ring gear shaft is fixed and output takes place via the second carrier shaft. The first shift elements are actuated to engage a first gear, the second shift elements are actuated to engage the second gear and the third shift elements are actuated to engage the third gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Stefan Renner, Kai Bornträger, Michael Trübenbach, Stefan Spühler, Johannes Glückler
  • Publication number: 20210277980
    Abstract: A transmission having planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4, RS5). Elements (ST2, ST4) of gearsets (RS2, RS4) form input and output shafts, respectively. Element (SO1) of gearset (RS1) couples element (HO5) of gearset (RS5) and can be immobilized by shift element (A). Element (ST1) of gearset (RS1) couples element (HO4) of gearset (RS4). Element (HO1) of gearset (RS1) can be immobilized by shift element (B). Elements (SO4, ST2) of gearsets (RS4 RS2) can connect by shift element (C). Elements (HO2, SO3, SO5) of gearsets (RS2, RS3, RS5) couple and can couple element (SO4) of gearset (RS4) by shift element (E). An element of gearset (RS4) is connected to an element of gearset (RS3), while another element of gearset (RS4) can be connected by shift element (D) to another element of gearset (RS3). Elements (SO2 ST5) of gearsets (RS2, RS5) are connected and can be immobilized by shift element (F).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Peter ZIEMER, Andreas BEISSWENGER, Christoph MARGRAF, Stefan BROM, Kai BORNTRÄGER, Michael TRÜBENBACH, Johannes GLÜCKLER
  • Patent number: 11052744
    Abstract: A transmission having a main transmission and a splitter group, and including at least four spur gear planes formed with a countershaft and at least five shifting elements for engaging at least six gears between the transmission input and output shafts. When shifting between gears with the highest and the second-highest gear ratios, a shift occurs in the shifting elements associated with the splitter group but not in the shifting elements associated with the main transmission, whereas when shifting between gears with the lowest and second-lowest gear ratios, a shift occurs in the shifting elements associated with the main transmission but not in the shifting elements associated with the splitter group. An electric machine can be connected by a gearset, and depending on its shift position, the gearset acts as a pre-transmission ratio for the electric machine or as a superimposition transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Johannes Glückler, Christian Mittelberger, Kai Bornträger, Rayk Gersten, Stefan Renner
  • Patent number: 11028904
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle. The transmission (G) comprises a transmission input (GW1-A), a transmission output (GW2-A), first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets (P1, P2, P3, P4) and first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth shift elements (B1, B2, K1, K2, K3, K4). Ten forward gears and one reverse gear can be achieved between the transmission input (GW1-A) and the transmission output (GW2-A) by selectively operating the six shift elements (B1, B2, K1, K2, K3, K4). A drive train for a motor vehicle having such a transmission (G) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Wechs, Michael Trübenbach, Kai Bornträger, Johannes Glückler, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Peter Ziemer
  • Patent number: 10995827
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission has drive and output shafts, three front-mounted and two rear-mounted planetary gear sets, and shift elements which can be engaged to selectively implement at least eleven forward gears and one reverse gear. The front gear sets are connected to one element of the rear gear sets. Five shift elements are assigned to the front gear sets and two are assigned to the rear gear sets, such that the front gear sets transmit seven output speeds to the rear gear sets. If normalized to the input speed of the drive shaft, at least one output speed of the front gear sets is less than 0, one output speed is greater than 1, one output speed is equal to 0, one output speed is equal to 1 and two output speeds are between 0 and 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Kai Bornträger, Christoph Margraf, Andreas Beisswenger, Stefan Brom