Patents by Inventor Michael PREUß

Michael PREUß 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: 12571459
    Abstract: A vehicle drive unit has a first and second electrical machines arranged in parallel, a manual gearbox arranged parallel to the electrical machines, a differential, a hollow drive shaft for connecting the first electrical machine to the gearbox, an output shaft within the drive shaft and for connecting the gearbox to the differential. A positive-locking shift unit has first and second shift elements and a sliding sleeve that is displaceable into three shift positions. In a first shift position, the first shift element is closed, and the second electrical machine is connected to the drive shaft with an actuating effect. In a second shift position, both shift elements are open, and the second electrical machine is decoupled from the gearbox. In a third shift position, the second shift element is closed, and the second electrical machine is connected to the output shaft with an actuating effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2025
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Alexander Thorwart, Michael Preuß
  • Patent number: 12510136
    Abstract: A drive unit has first and second electrical machines arranged axially parallel, a manual gearbox arranged axially parallel to the electrical machines, a differential, a drive shaft, an output shaft, and a positive-locking shift unit having a first shift element, a second shift element, and a sliding sleeve displaceable via a first actuator into one of three shift positions. In a first shift position, the first shift element is closed and the second electrical machine is connected to the drive shaft with an actuating effect; in a second shift position, both shift elements are open and the second electrical machine is decoupled from the gearbox; in a third shift position, the second shift element is closed and the second electrical machine is connected to the output shaft with an actuating effect. The drive shaft is hollow, and the output shaft is arranged within the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2025
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Alexander Thorwart, Michael Preuß
  • Publication number: 20250389327
    Abstract: A shift device for a vehicle having a differential for distributing power to a first and second output shafts has a first shift position for locking a differential function, a second shift position for activating a parking lock function, and a third shift position as a neutral position. A servomotor with a drive shaft can displace a first positioning element to actuate a locking sleeve, and displace a second positioning element to actuate a locking pawl. The locking sleeve is rotationally fixed and axially displaceable on the first output shaft and is configured to connect the first output shaft to a differential carrier in a rotationally fixed manner in the first shift position to lock the differential function. The locking pawl can pivot and can engage a gearwheel in the second shift position to fix the differential carrier and activate the parking lock function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2025
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Thorwart, Bernard Hunold, Michael Preuß, Niclas Raeder
  • Patent number: 12467535
    Abstract: A device for a vehicle drivetrain has an axle differential, a differential blocking device for blocking and releasing the equalization function of the axle differential, a parking lock for blocking and releasing the drive output of the vehicle drivetrain, and an actuation mechanism configured to be driven by a drive unit. By way of the actuation mechanism, the differential blocking device and the parking lock can be actuated by the drive unit. Actuating the parking lock and the differential blocking device are correlated with one another in such manner that at the end of a first phase of actuation, only the equalization function of the axle differential can be blocked and the parking lock is in its disengaged condition. At the end of a second phase of actuation, the equalization function of the axle differential can be blocked, and the parking lock can be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2025
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Thorwart, Michael Preuß, Bernard Hunold, Niclas Raeder
  • Publication number: 20250282209
    Abstract: A drive unit has a first and second electric motors arranged axially parallel, a manual gearbox arranged axially parallel to the motors and having first and second planetary gearsets, a positive-locking shift unit, a differential, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The first shift unit having first, second, and third shift elements, and an axially displaceable sliding sleeve. Closing the first shift element shifts a first gear, where the first web shaft, the second hollow gear shaft, and the driven shaft are connected in a rotationally fixed manner. Closing the second shift element shifts a second gear, where the second web shaft and the driven shaft are connected rotationally fixed. Closing the third shift element shifts a third gear, where the first sun shaft, the second sun shaft, the drive shaft, and the driven shaft are connected rotationally fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2025
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Alexander Thorwart, Michael Preuß
  • Publication number: 20250283529
    Abstract: A vehicle drive unit has a first and second electrical machines arranged in parallel, a manual gearbox arranged parallel to the electrical machines, a differential, a hollow drive shaft for connecting the first electrical machine to the gearbox, an output shaft within the drive shaft and for connecting the gearbox to the differential. A positive-locking shift unit has first and second shift elements and a sliding sleeve that is displaceable into three shift positions. In a first shift position, the first shift element is closed, and the second electrical machine is connected to the drive shaft with an actuating effect. In a second shift position, both shift elements are open, and the second electrical machine is decoupled from the gearbox. In a third shift position, the second shift element is closed, and the second electrical machine is connected to the output shaft with an actuating effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2025
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Alexander Thorwart, Michael Preuß
  • Publication number: 20250198511
    Abstract: A drive unit with a parking lock arrangement has a parking lock gear, a parking lock pawl, and a parking lock tappet. An actuation unit can move the tappet against a shifting force into a locking shift position in which the tappet enables an actuating movement of the pawl toward a release position, in which the pawl enables a rotary movement of the parking lock gear. The actuation unit is operatively connected to a shift actuator system of a manual gearbox having at least two speeds. The actuation unit is configured to transfer the tappet from the locking shift position to the releasing shift position by means of spaced-apart cams when one of the speeds is engaged. In a neutral operating state, where no speed is engaged and the power train is interrupted, the actuation unit releases the actuating movement of the tappet toward the locking shift position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Alexander Thorwart, Bernard Hunold, Michael Preuß, Johannes Glückler, Niclas Raeder
  • Publication number: 20240380266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotor arrangement (100, 100a) for the improved cooling of a rotor. The arrangement includes a rotor core (9) and a rotor shaft (17) with an axial rotor axis (14), where the rotor core (9) is arranged on the rotor shaft (17). The rotor core (9) is defined by rotor laminae stacked one after another, and the rotor core (9) comprises at least embedded outer magnets (11), the outer magnets (11) being arranged radially outside in the rotor core (9) in axially extending magnet pockets (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Bernard Hunold, Alexander Thorwart, Alexander Bäumle, Michael Preuß, Niclas Raeder
  • Publication number: 20240280174
    Abstract: A parking lock shifting device has a flat cam mechanism with a rotatable cam element and an engagement element guided on the cam element and displaceable for shifting a parking lock. A transmission shifting device has a rotatable shift roller and at least one shift element which can be displaced by rotating the shift roller. The transmission shift device has such a parking lock shifting device, the cam element is non-rotatably connected to the shift drum and the engagement element forms a further shift element which can be shifted by rotating the shift drum. Also disclosed is a transmission with a parking lock shifting device of this type or a transmission shifting device of this type, and vehicle with a parking lock shifting device of this type, a transmission shifting device of this type or a transmission of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Bernard Hunold, Michael Preuß, Alexander Thorwart
  • Patent number: 11746857
    Abstract: Disclosed is a starting device for a transmission. The starting device includes a drive input shaft provided for coupling the starting device to a drive engine connected upstream from the transmission. An output shaft is configured to connect the starting device to a gearset of the transmission. The drive input shaft and the output shaft can be connected rotationally fixed to one another by means of a first shifting element. An electric machine is provided whose rotor is connected to an intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft is coupled to the output shaft by way of at least one gear step. In order to realize integration of the upstream drive engine and the electric machine, a second shifting element is also provided which, when actuated, forms a rotationally fixed connection between the intermediate shaft and the drive input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Michael Preuß, Bernard Hunold
  • Patent number: 11511616
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, having change-speed transmission (G) with a drive output shaft (AW), a retarder (RE) with a retarder shaft (RW), an electric machine (EM) with a rotor shaft (RO) and a first gear ratio step (Ü1) between the drive output shaft (AW) and the retarder shaft (RW). The retarder (RE) is driven by way of the first gear ratio step (Ü1). The electric machine (EM) is arranged with its axis parallel to the retarder (RE) and can be coupled to the retarder shaft (RW) by way of a second gear ratio step (Ü2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Bernard Hunold, Michael Preuß
  • Publication number: 20220307574
    Abstract: Disclosed is a starting device for a transmission. The starting device includes a drive input shaft provided for coupling the starting device to a drive engine connected upstream from the transmission. An output shaft is configured to connect the starting device to a gearset of the transmission. The drive input shaft and the output shaft can be connected rotationally fixed to one another by means of a first shifting element. An electric machine is provided whose rotor is connected to an intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft is coupled to the output shaft by way of at least one gear step. In order to realize integration of the upstream drive engine and the electric machine, a second shifting element is also provided which, when actuated, forms a rotationally fixed connection between the intermediate shaft and the drive input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Michael Preuß, Bernard Hunold
  • Publication number: 20210268891
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement for a hybrid drive of a motor vehicle, in particular a utility vehicle, having change-speed transmission (G) with a drive output shaft (AW), a retarder (RE) with a retarder shaft (RW), an electric machine (EM) with a rotor shaft (RO) and a first gear ratio step (Ü1) between the drive output shaft (AW) and the retarder shaft (RW). The retarder (RE) is driven by way of the first gear ratio step (Ü1). The electric machine (EM) is arranged with its axis parallel to the retarder (RE) and can be coupled to the retarder shaft (RW) by way of a second gear ratio step (Ü2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Bernard HUNOLD, Michael PREUß
  • Patent number: 10940749
    Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle having a hybrid drive, a transmission with shift elements, a drive output with a brake, a main transmission with input shafts, an output shaft and planetary gear sets (PG1, PG2). The main transmission has five gear planes. One shift element can connect a gear plane to an element of gear set (PG1) adjoining the main transmission. Another shift element couples a further element of gear set (PG1) either to the output shaft or a housing. An electric machine is permanently connected to an element of gear set (PG2). If, while driving with a transmission gear engaged, the drive output brake is engaged for a full brake application, a shift element of the transmission is first relieved by the electric machine and/or a brake assigned to one of the input shafts and then subsequently disengaged to decouple the combustion engine from the drive output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Preuß, Johannes Kaltenbach, Christian Mittelberger, Johannes Glückler, Stefan Renner, Rayk Gersten
  • Publication number: 20190193560
    Abstract: An auxiliary power take-off assembly (32) for a transmission (6) of a motor vehicle (2) having a torque converter (8). A driveshaft (30) is permanently connected to a drive motor (4), via the pump shaft (24) of the torque converter (8). In addition, the auxiliary power take-off assembly (32) has a transmission drive chain which includes at least a drive input element (34) and a drive output element (42) connected to an additional assembly (66) to be driven, and a shifting element (64, 68). The shifting element (64, 68) is functionally arranged between the driveshaft (30) and the drive input element (34) of the transmission chain for the optionally connecting the driveshaft (30) to the drive input element (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Michael TRÜBENBACH, Michael PREUß, Patrick KNIESS
  • Publication number: 20170152916
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission for a motor vehicle including two sub-transmissions, each having at least one input shaft. An output shaft outputs drive from both sub-transmissions. The input shafts are arranged on an input shaft axis and the output shaft is arranged on the input shaft axis or a parallel countershaft axis. An intermediate gear system includes at least one countershaft which is arranged on the countershaft axis. At least four shifting elements are arranged such that, in each case, at least two shifting elements are arranged on the input shaft axis and on the countershaft axis. At least one input shaft can be connected to the output shaft by way of two wheel planes and/or at least one shifting element. Preferably half of the shifting elements are unsynchronized and at least one-third of the shifting elements are synchronized. Also a method for operating a dual clutch transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Bernd SCHEPPERLE, Michael PREUß
  • Publication number: 20160061294
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission having first and second clutches which selectively engage to couple a drive shaft with a respective first and second input shaft. The input shafts are coaxially aligned with the first input shaft extending through the second input shaft. A transmission output shaft is coaxially aligned with and extends behind the input shafts. Either six, seven or eighth forward gears and at least two reverse gears are produced by gearwheels that are arranged in six gearwheel planes on the input and the output shafts and a countershaft. The gearwheel planes are sequentially arranged axially along the transmission. Depending on the shifting positions of eight interlocking shifting elements, when six forward gears are provided, the last forward gear is a direct gear. In contrast, when either seven or eight forward gears are provided, the last forward gear, in each case, is an overdrive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Michael PREUß, Bernd SCHEPPERLE
  • Publication number: 20160017968
    Abstract: A drive-train for a vehicle with at least one electric drive, which can be coupled via a driveshaft (2) to at least a first transmission ratio stage (i1) and a second transmission ratio stage (i2). At least one shifting mechanism is provided for engaging the transmission ratio stages (i1, i2). To carry out powershifts, the shifting mechanism includes at least one interlocking shifting element (5) and at least one frictional shifting element (6, 6A). Each of the transmission ratio stages (i1, i2) can be engaged by the interlocking shifting element (5) and at least one of the transmission ratio stages (i2) can be engaged both by the interlocking shifting element (5) and by the frictional shifting element (6). Methods for carrying out a powershift, between a frictional shifting element (6, 6A) and an interlocking shifting element (5) in the drive-train, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Johannes KALTENBACH, Matthias REISCH, Ulrich KEHR, Michael PREUß, Kai BORNTRÄGER