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: 11338661
    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), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F). Different gears are implementable by selectively actuating the at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM1), different operating modes are implementable. A drive train for a motor vehicle with such a transmission (G) and to a method for operating same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Publication number: 20220153122
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement (16) for a motor vehicle drive train (10), includes a first shaft arrangement (24, 26) and a second shaft arrangement (28), a plurality of engageable gear sets (36, 38, 42, 48, 50), which connect the first shaft arrangement (24, 26) and the second shaft arrangement (28) in order to establish at least one appropriate plurality of gear steps (1-5), and a plurality of at least three gearshift clutches (B, D, C) for engaging at least some (38, 48, 50) of the gear sets (36, 38, 42, 48, 50). Two (B, D) of the three gearshift clutches (B, D, C) form a gearshift clutch assembly (52), which is arranged at one (28) of the shaft arrangements (24, 26; 28). One gearshift clutch (C) of the three gearshift clutches (B, D, C) is arranged at the other shaft arrangement (24, 26) and, with the gearshift clutch assembly (52), is arranged in a gearshift clutch plane (E2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Peter Ziemer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220153124
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission of a countershaft design for a motor vehicle powertrain having an internal combustion engine, a first electric prime mover, and a second electric prime mover has a transmission drive shaft drivingly connected to the second electric prime mover, a first sub-transmission having a first transmission input shaft, and a second sub-transmission having a second transmission input shaft, the second transmission input shaft being drivingly connected to the first electric prime mover. The transmission further has a first coupling element, the transmission drive shaft being connectable to the internal combustion engine via the first coupling element. Moreover, the transmission has a second coupling element, the first transmission input shaft being connectable to the second transmission input shaft via the second coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Thomas Kroh, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220153123
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement (16) for a motor vehicle drive train (10) includes a first input shaft (24) connected or connectable to an internal combustion engine (12), a second input shaft (26) arranged coaxially to the first input shaft (24), an output shaft connected to the first input shaft (24) via a first plurality of engageable first gear-step gear sets (38, 42, 44) and connected to the second input shaft (26) via a second plurality of engageable second gear-step gear sets (36, 52), a first electric machine (56) connected to the second input shaft (26), a second electric machine (60) connected to the first input shaft (24), and a first clutch (K1) via which the first input shaft (24) and the second input shaft (26) are connectable to each other. The second gear-step gear sets include two alternately engageable gear-step gear sets (36, 52), via each of which an electric motor-driven operation is establishable by the first electric machine (56).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Martin, Oliver Bayer, Martin Brehmer, Thomas Kroh, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220153125
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device includes at least one drive device (EM2) and a gear change transmission (4) having multiple forward gear steps (G1, G2, G3, G4, GE2). The forward gear steps (G1, G2, G3, G4, GE2) are distributed onto at least one first sub-transmission (36) and one second sub-transmission (38). At least one even forward gear step (G2, G4) and at least one odd forward gear step (G3) are arranged in the first sub-transmission (36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Martin, Oliver Bayer, Martin Brehmer, Thomas Kroh, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220144069
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a motor vehicle drive train includes a first clutch having a first output element, where the first clutch is a friction-locking clutch. The clutch assembly further includes a second clutch having a second output element, where the second clutch is a form-locking clutch, and where the first clutch and the second clutch have a shared input element. Additionally, the clutch assembly includes a single sliding element associated with the first clutch and the second clutch, the sliding element being movable by a single actuating unit between a first engagement position and a second engagement position axially offset from the first engagement position. The first clutch is engaged when the sliding element is in the first engagement position and the second clutch is engaged when the sliding element is in the second engagement position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Oliver Bayer, Thomas Kroh, Johannes Kaltenbach, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220144073
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) includes a first transmission input shaft (7), a second transmission input shaft (9) mounted on the first transmission input shaft, at least one electric motor (EM1, EM2), and a connecting clutch (K3) is configured for forming a rotationally fixed connection of the first transmission input shaft (7) and the second transmission input shaft (9). The connecting clutch (K3) is configured as part of a two-sided engagement device (S1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220136589
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) may include at least one drive device (EM1, EM2), a first transmission input shaft (7), a second transmission input shaft (9) mounted on the first transmission input shaft (7), at least one countershaft (22), a plurality of gearwheels (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 24, 26, 30, 32, 34), and at least two engagement devices (S1, S2, S3, S4). At least one first gearwheel is arranged on the first transmission input shaft (7), at least one second gearwheel is arranged on the second transmission input shaft (9), and at least one third gearwheel is arranged on the at least one countershaft (22). The engagement devices (S1, S2, S3, S4) are arranged on precisely two axes of rotation (A1, A2), including a first axis (A1) defined by the input shafts (7, 9) and a second axis (A2) defined by the at least one countershaft (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220134865
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) includes at least one electric motor (EM1, EM2), a first transmission input shaft (7), and a second transmission input shaft (9) mounted on the first transmission input shaft (7). A connecting clutch (K3) is configured for a selective rotationally fixed connection of the first transmission input shaft (7) and the second transmission input shaft (9). The second transmission input shaft (9) includes an end (11) pointing toward the outer side of the hybrid transmission device (3) and an end (13) pointing toward the inner side of the hybrid transmission device (3). The connecting clutch (K3) is arranged at the end (13) of the second transmission input shaft (9) pointing toward the inner side of the hybrid transmission device (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Martin, Oliver Bayer, Martin Brehmer, Thomas Kroh, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220134861
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) may include at least one transmission input shaft (7, 9), and at least two drive devices (EM1, EM2). Each of the at least two drive devices (EM1, EM2) may be arranged axially parallel to each of the at least one transmission input shaft (7, 9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220134864
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) may include at least one drive device (EM1, EM2), a first transmission input shaft (7), a second transmission input shaft (9) mounted on the first transmission input shaft (7), and a connecting clutch (K3) configured for selectively rotationally fixing the first transmission input shaft (7) to the second transmission input shaft (9). The second transmission input shaft (9) includes a first end (11) pointing toward an outer side of the hybrid transmission device (3) and a second end (13) pointing toward an inner side of the hybrid transmission device (3). The connecting clutch (K3) is proximate the second end (13) of the second transmission input shaft (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220134863
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission arrangement (16) for a motor vehicle drive train (10) includes a first sub-transmission (32) with a first input shaft (24), a second sub-transmission (34) with a second input shaft (26), a first electric machine (56) connectable to the first input shaft (24) via a second clutch (K2), and a second electric machine (60) connected to the second input shaft (26). The first electric machine (56) is connected via a first gearwheel (70) to an intermediate element (74), which forms an input element of the second clutch (K2). The second electric machine (60) is connected to the second input shaft (26) via a second gearwheel (72). The first gearwheel (70) and the second gearwheel (72) are arranged coaxially and adjacent to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Michael Wechs, Thomas Martin, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220128125
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) with a first transmission input shaft (7), a second transmission input shaft (9) mounted on the first transmission input shaft, at least one electric motor (EM1, EM2), and a clutch (K2) for connecting the second transmission input shaft (9) to an internal combustion engine (2). A connecting clutch (K3) is configured for forming a rotationally fixed connection of the first transmission input shaft (7) and the second transmission input shaft (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220126676
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) includes a first transmission input shaft (12), a second transmission input shaft (14), at least one drive device (EM2), and a connecting clutch (K3) engageable to rotationally fix the first transmission input shaft (12) to the second transmission input shaft (14). The first transmission input shaft (12) extends between an input side (21) and an output side (23), where the first transmission input shaft (12) is clutch-free on the input side (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Wechs, Thomas Martin, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220126673
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) includes at least one electric motor (EM1, EM2), a first transmission input shaft (7), and a second transmission input shaft (9) mounted on the first transmission input shaft (7). A connecting clutch (K3) is configured for rotationally fixedly connecting the first transmission input shaft (7) and the second transmission input shaft (9). The second transmission input shaft (9) includes an end (11) facing toward the outer side of the hybrid transmission device (3) and an end (13) facing toward the inner side of the hybrid transmission device (3). The connecting clutch (K3) is arranged at the end (13) of the second transmission input shaft (9) facing toward the inner side of the hybrid transmission device (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220126675
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission (10) for a motor vehicle drive train with an internal combustion engine (55) and an electric prime mover (18) is provided. The hybrid transmission (10) includes a first sub-transmission (10a) with multiple gear steps and a first transmission input shaft (12), a second sub-transmission (10b) with multiple gear steps and a second transmission input shaft (14), a countershaft (16), multiple shift elements (A, B, C, D, E) for engaging the gear steps (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), and gearwheel pairs of idler gears (28, 32, 36, 40, 44) and fixed gears (26, 30, 34, 38, 42) for forming the gear steps, arranged in multiple gear set planes. A portion of the gear steps is engageable for the internal combustion engine, and a portion of the gear steps is engageable for the electric prime mover. The gearwheel pairs for forming the gear steps having the lowest and the second-lowest ratios are fixedly associated with the first sub-transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Martin Brehmer, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Peter Ziemer, Johannes Kaltenbach, Max Bachmann
  • Publication number: 20220126674
    Abstract: A hybrid transmission device (3) has at least one drive device (EM1, EM2), a first transmission input shaft (7), a second transmission input shaft (9), a first clutch (K1), and a connecting clutch (K3). The second transmission input shaft (9) is mounted on the first transmission input shaft (7). The connecting clutch (K3) is actuatable to rotationally fix the first transmission input shaft (7) to the second transmission input shaft (9). The first transmission input shaft (7) is connected to an output (6) of the first clutch (K1), where the at least one drive device (EM1, EM2), the connecting clutch (K3), and the first transmission input shaft (7) are connectable to an internal combustion engine (2) via actuation of the first clutch (K1), and where the first clutch (K1) is a dog clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Kroh, Oliver Bayer, Max Bachmann
  • Patent number: 11305635
    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), three planetary gear sets (P1, P2, P3), and at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F). Different gears are implementable by selectively actuating the at least six shift elements (A, B, C, D, E, F) and, in addition, in interaction with the electric machine (EM1), different operating modes are implementable. A drive train for a motor vehicle with such a transmission (G) and to a method for operating same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Horn, Johannes Kaltenbach, Uwe Griesmeier, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Jens Moraw
  • Publication number: 20220111718
    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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Uwe Griesmeier, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker
  • Patent number: 11287017
    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 a method for the transmission (G) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Matthias Horn, Uwe Griesmeier, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Jens Moraw, Gerhard Niederbrucker