Patents by Inventor Michael WECHS

Michael WECHS 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230313871
    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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Bernard Hunold, Eckhardt Lübke, Thomas Riedisser, Thomas Schneider, Martin Brehmer, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter
  • Patent number: 11761521
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has at least a first ring gear, a second ring gear and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first planet carrier drivingly connects to an electric machine. The second ring gear is connected to an output shaft of the gear unit so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first gear shifting element fixes the first ring gear relative to a housing in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element brings the stepped planetary gearset into direct drive in a closed state. 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: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11752849
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain and gear unit having 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 a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first sun gear is connected to an electric machine. The first planet carrier is fixedly connected to a housing with respect to rotation. The first gear shifting element connects the second ring gear to an output shaft of the gear unit in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element connects the first ring gear to the output shaft of the gear unit in a closed to state, and one of the two gear shifting elements) is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11738633
    Abstract: A gear unit includes: a stepped planetary gearset, and first and second gear shifting elements. The stepped planetary gearset has first and second sun gears, a first ring gear and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first ring gear is connected to an output shaft of the gear unit thus being fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first planet carrier is connected to a housing and fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first gear shifting element drivingly connects the second sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element drivingly connects the first sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state. 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: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Publication number: 20230173910
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission (18) for a motor vehicle drive train (12) of a motor vehicle (10) includes: a first transmission input shaft (24) for operatively connecting the hybrid transmission to an internal combustion engine (16); a second transmission input shaft (26) for operatively connecting the hybrid transmission to a first electric prime mover (14); an output shaft (28) for operatively connecting the hybrid transmission to a drive output (32); a planetary gear set (RS) connected to the second transmission input shaft and to the output shaft; spur gear pairs (ST1, ST2, ST3) arranged in multiple gear set planes for forming gear steps; and a plurality of gear change devices with shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F) for engaging gear steps. The output shaft is of a countershaft design, and the planetary gear set is interlockable when decoupled from the first transmission input shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Martin, Max Bachmann, Michael Wechs
  • Publication number: 20230173909
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission (18) for a motor vehicle drive train (12) of a motor vehicle (10) includes: a first transmission input shaft (24) for operatively connecting the hybrid transmission to an internal combustion engine (16); a second transmission input shaft (26) for operatively connecting the hybrid transmission to a first electric prime mover (14); an output shaft (28) for operatively connecting the hybrid transmission to a drive output (32); a planetary gear set (RS) connected to the first transmission input shaft and to the second transmission input shaft; spur gear pairs (ST1, ST2, ST3) arranged in multiple gear set planes for forming gear steps; and a plurality of gear change devices that include shift elements (A, B, C, D, E) for engaging gear steps. The output shaft is of a countershaft design, and the planetary gear set is interlockable when decoupled from the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Max Bachmann, Mladjan Radic
  • Patent number: 11649009
    Abstract: A transmission for a bicycle includes at least four shift elements, one input shaft (1), a first planetary gear set (PS1) which is operatively connected to the input shaft (1), and a second planetary gear set (PS2). A carrier of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a carrier of the second planetary gear set (PS2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Valerie Engel, Uwe Griesmeier, Matthias Wesa, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 11642950
    Abstract: A transmission (1) for an electric drive of a vehicle includes a first input shaft (10), a second input shaft (11), an output shaft (12), two shift elements (3, 4) for connecting the transmission (1) to an electric machine of the electric drive, and a planetary gear set (5) configured as a stepped planetary gear set. A first sun gear (5.1) of the planetary gear set (5) is rotationally fixed to the first input shaft (10). A second sun gear (5.2) of the planetary gear set (5) is rotationally fixed to the second input shaft (11). A ring gear (5.5) of the planetary gear set (5) is fixed at a rotationally fixed component (0) of the transmission (1). A planet carrier (5.6) of the planetary gear set (5) is rotationally fixed to the output shaft (12). A first shift element (3) is configured for connecting the first input shaft (10) to the electric machine of the electric drive. A second shift element (4) is configured for connecting the second input shaft (11) to the electric machine of the electric drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Oliver Schaudt
  • Publication number: 20230137376
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine (EM), a first input shaft (1), a second input shaft (5), an output shaft (2), three planetary gear sets (11, 12, 13), and at least four shift elements (SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4). Different gears are selectable by selectively actuating the at least four shift elements (SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM), different operating modes are implementable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Juri Pawlakowitsch, Ingo Pfannkuchen, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Jens Moraw, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Uwe Griesmeier, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Publication number: 20230121971
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission arrangement for a motor vehicle (30) includes a first transmission group (12), a second transmission group (18), a third planetary gear set (PS3), and a first electric machine (EM1). The first transmission group (12) includes a first input (14), a first output (16), and a first planetary gear set (PS1). The first input (14) is connectable to an internal combustion engine (VM). The second transmission group (18) includes a second input (20), a second output (22), and a second planetary gear set (PS2). The second input (20) is connected to the first output (16) of the first transmission group (12). The third planetary gear set (PS3) includes a first element (S3;H3I), a second element (H3;S3I), and a third element (P3;P3I). The third planetary gear set (PS3) is interlockable using a first shift element (E) and arranged coaxially to a first axis (A1). The first element (S3;H3I) is connected to the first electric machine. The second element (H3;S3I) is connected to the second output (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Martin Brehmer, Max Bachmann, Peter Ziemer, Christian Michel, Ingo Pfannkuchen, Mladjan Radic
  • Publication number: 20230104464
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle (30) includes a transmission (11), a third planetary gear set (PS3), and a first electric machine (EM1). The transmission (11) includes a first input (14), which is connectable to an internal combustion engine (VM), a second output (22), a third output (23), and at least one planetary gear set (PS1, PS2). The third planetary gear set (PS3) includes a first element (S3;H3?), a second element (H3;S3?), and a third element (P3;P3?). The third planetary gear set (PS3) is interlockable using a first shift element (E) and arranged coaxially to a first axis (A1). The first element (S3;H3?) is connected to the first electric machine. The second element (H3;S3?) is connected to the second output (22) of the transmission (11). The third output (23) of the transmission (11) is connected to the first element (S3;H3?). The third element (P3;P3?) is connected to a drive output (Ab) of the hybrid transmission arrangement (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Michael Wechs, Thomas Martin, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Max Bachmann, Mladjan Radic, Ingo Pfannkuchen, Christian Michel
  • Publication number: 20230078446
    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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Michael WECHS, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11598394
    Abstract: A wheel head transmission (1) comprising a first and second shafts (W1, W2) which are connected to one another via a planetary transmission (PG). The wheel head transmission (1) comprises first and second planetary stages (P1, P2), which include a first element (E11, E12), a second element (E21, E22) and a third element (E31, E32). The first element (E11) of the first planetary stage (P1) is connected to the first shaft (W1) for conjoint rotation, the second element (E21) of the first planetary stage (P1) and the third element (E32) of the second planetary stage (P2) are connected to one another and the second shaft (W2) for conjoint rotation. The third element (E31) of the first planetary stage (P1) and the first element (E12) of the second planetary stage (P2) are connected together for conjoint rotation, and the second element (E22) of the second planet stage (P2) is immobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Matthias Kobler, Max Schreiber, Michael Wechs
  • Publication number: 20230044964
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain and gear unit having 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 a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first sun gear is connected to an electric machine. The first planet carrier is fixedly connected to a housing with respect to rotation. The first gear shifting element connects the second ring gear to an output shaft of the gear unit in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element connects the first ring gear to the output shaft of the gear unit in a closed to state, and one of the two gear shifting elements) is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael WECHS, Fabian KUTTER, Thomas MARTIN, Oliver SCHAUDT
  • Publication number: 20230044179
    Abstract: A gear unit for a powertrain of a vehicle includes a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has at least a first ring gear, a second ring gear and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first planet carrier drivingly connects to an electric machine. The second ring gear is connected to an output shaft of the gear unit so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first gear shifting element fixes the first ring gear relative to a housing in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element brings the stepped planetary gearset into direct drive in a closed state. One of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael WECHS, Fabian KUTTER, Thomas MARTIN, Oliver SCHAUDT
  • Publication number: 20230037558
    Abstract: A gear unit includes: a stepped planetary gearset, and first and second gear shifting elements. The stepped planetary gearset has first and second sun gears, a first ring gear and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first ring gear is connected to an output shaft of the gear unit thus being fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first planet carrier is connected to a housing and fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. The first gear shifting element drivingly connects the second sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element drivingly connects the first sun gear to an electric machine in a closed state. One of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael WECHS, Fabian KUTTER, Thomas MARTIN, Oliver SCHAUDT
  • Publication number: 20230037299
    Abstract: A powertrain of a vehicle includes a stepped planetary gearset, a first gear shifting element and a second gear shifting element. The stepped planetary gearset has a first sun gear and a second sun gear, a first ring gear and a plurality of stepped planet gears rotatably mounted at a first planet carrier. The first ring gear is configured to drivingly connect to an electric machine. The first planet carrier is connectable to an output shaft of the gear unit to be fixed with respect to relative rotation. The first gear shifting element is configured to fix the second sun gear relative to a housing in a closed state, and the second gear shifting element is configured to fix the first sun gear relative to the housing in a closed state. One of the two gear shifting elements is in the closed state for driving the output shaft in rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Oliver Schaudt
  • Patent number: 11571961
    Abstract: A transmission (G) for a motor vehicle includes an electric machine (EM1), a first input shaft (GW1), a second input shaft (GW2), an output shaft (GWA), two planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and at least five shift elements (A, B, C, D, E). Different gears are implementable by selectively actuating the at least five shift elements (A, B, C, D, E) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM1), different operating modes are implementable. A drive train for a motor vehicle with the transmission (G), and to a method for operating the transmission (G) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Uwe Griesmeier, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker