Patents by Inventor Stefan Beck

Stefan Beck 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).

  • Publication number: 20250223005
    Abstract: A bottom bracket gearbox includes a crank axle and a gearbox output shaft. The crank axle is connected to a second element of the first planetary gear set and connectable to a third element of the second planetary gear set via a fourth shift element and a second shaft. The gearbox output shaft is connected to a first element of the first planetary gear set and to a first element of the third planetary gear set. A third element of the first planetary gear set is connected to a second element of the second planetary gear set via a first shaft. A first element of the second planetary gear set is connected to a second element of the third planetary gear set via a third shaft. Two elements of the third planetary gear set are connectable via a fifth shift element to interlock the third planetary gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Wechs, Mladjan Radic, Peter Ziemer, Thomas Riedisser
  • Publication number: 20250214676
    Abstract: A bottom bracket planetary gearbox for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a crank axle, a gearbox output shaft, four additional shafts, five shift elements, and three planetary gear sets. The planetary gear sets are coaxial with the crank axle. The shift elements are engageable to implement at least six gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Michael Wechs, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Peter Ziemer
  • 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: 20250187431
    Abstract: An axle gear system (8) includes a planetary stage (14), a first driven shaft (13) and a second driven shaft (11). The planetary stage (14) has a fixed carrier train ratio of less than negative one (?1). A sun gear (19) of the planetary stage (14) is connected to a drive shaft (9) for conjoint rotation. A planet carrier (20) is connected to a first output shaft (12) for conjoint rotation. The first output shaft (12) is coupled to the first driven shaft (13) via a first intermediate transmission (16). A ring gear (21) is connected to a second output shaft (10) for conjoint rotation. The second output shaft (10) is coupled to the second driven shaft (11) via a second intermediate transmission (15). Transmission ratios of the first and second intermediate transmissions (15, 16) are coordinated such that, in combination with the fixed carrier train ratio of the planetary stage (14), a symmetrical torque distribution from the drive shaft (9) onto the driven shafts (11, 13) is established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventor: Stefan Beck
  • Publication number: 20250153807
    Abstract: A bottom bracket transmission with a planetary design for a bicycle or a pedelec (1) includes a pedal crankshaft (WAn), a transmission output shaft (WAb), further shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7), and a first transmission shifting group (3) and a second transmission shifting group (4) coupled together for implementing a plurality of gears (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12). The first transmission shifting group (3) includes a two-stage stepped planetary gear set (StRS1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Thomas Riedisser
  • Publication number: 20250153806
    Abstract: A planetary-type bottom-bracket transmission for a bicycle or a pedelec (1), includes a pedal crank shaft (WAn), a transmission output shaft (WAb), further shafts (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7), and a first transmission shift group (3) and a second transmission shift group (4) that are coupled to each other in order to implement a plurality of gear ratios (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12). The first transmission shift group (3) includes a two-step stepped planetary gear set (StRS) that is assigned a first shifting element (B1), a second shifting element (B2) and a fifth shifting element (F1I, F1II, F1III, F1IV, F1V, F1VI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Thomas Riedisser
  • Patent number: 12296919
    Abstract: A bottom bracket planetary gear mechanism for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a gear mechanism shifting group having first and second planetary gear sets and first, second, and fifth shifting elements. A second element of the first gear set is connected to a first shaft, a first element of the first gear set is connected via a fourth shaft to a first element of the second gear set, and a third element of the first gear set is fixable via a second shaft and a first shifting element. The third element of the first gear set is connected via the second shaft to a second element of the second gear set. A third element of the second gear set is fixable via a third shaft and a second shifting element. A fifth shifting element blocks the first and second gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20250121671
    Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle includes an internal combustion engine (VM) coaxial to the first axis (A1), at least one first electric machine (EM1) and one second electric machine (EM2), and a transmission arrangement (G) connectable to an output (Ab). The first electric machine (EM1) has larger dimensions than the second electric machine (EM2). The second electric machine (EM2) is connectable at least to the internal combustion engine (VM), and the first electric machine (EM1) is connectable at least to the transmission arrangement (G). The first electric machine (EM1) and the second electric machine (EM2) are coaxial to the first axis (A1). The first electric machine (EM1) and the second electric machine (EM2) are radially nested, or the first electric machine (EM1), when viewed axially, is associated with the internal combustion engine and the second electric machine (2), when viewed axially, is associated with the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier
  • Publication number: 20250052308
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes a first, a second, and a third planetary gear set, an input shaft, a first and a second output shaft, and a first and a second coupling shaft. Respective elements of the first planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the input shaft, rotationally fixed to the first coupling shaft, and rotationally fixed to the second coupling shaft. Respective elements of the second planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the first coupling shaft, rotationally fixed to a stationary component, and rotationally fixed to the second output shaft. Respective elements of the third planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the second coupling shaft, rotationally fixed to the first output shaft, and rotationally fixed to the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch, Eckhardt Lübke, Domenico Bartilucci, Tamas Gyarmati
  • Patent number: 12163577
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes a first, a second, and a third planetary gear set, an input shaft, a first and a second output shaft, and a first and a second coupling shaft. Respective elements of the first planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the input shaft, rotationally fixed to the first coupling shaft, and rotationally fixed to the second coupling shaft. Respective elements of the second planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the first coupling shaft, rotationally fixed to a stationary component, and rotationally fixed to the second output shaft. Respective elements of the third planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the second coupling shaft, rotationally fixed to the first output shaft, and rotationally fixed to the second output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch, Eckhardt Lübke, Domenico Bartilucci, Tamas Gyarmati
  • Publication number: 20240383572
    Abstract: A bottom bracket planetary gear mechanism for a bicycle or a pedelec includes a gear mechanism shifting group having first and second planetary gear sets and first, second, and fifth shifting elements. A second element of the first gear set is connected to a first shaft, a first element of the first gear set is connected via a fourth shaft to a first element of the second gear set, and a third element of the first gear set is fixable via a second shaft and a first shifting element. The third element of the first gear set is connected via the second shaft to a second element of the second gear set. A third element of the second gear set is fixable via a third shaft and a second shifting element. A fifth shifting element blocks the first and second gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20240383571
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Fabian Kutter, Thomas Martin, Mladjan Radic, Thomas Riedisser, Hagen Doepfert
  • Publication number: 20240351425
    Abstract: A drive train for a vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coaxial to a first axis, a first electric machine, and a second electric machine. The first electric machine has larger dimensions than the second electric machine. The second electric machine is connectable to the internal combustion engine. A rotor axis of the first electric machine is axially offset from a rotor axis of the second electric machine. Additionally, the drive train includes a transmission arrangement connectable to a drive output, with the first electric machine being connectable to the transmission arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Fabian Kutter, Matthias Horn, Stefan Beck, Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Michael Wechs, Uwe Griesmeier
  • Patent number: 12122242
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a hybrid transmission device for an internal combustion engine transmission arrangement of a motor vehicle. The hybrid transmission device comprises at least one transmission input shaft, at least one drive device and at least one connecting clutch for connecting two shafts for conjoint rotation. The hybrid transmission device comprises no more than two gear stages. The disclosure additionally relates to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Martin Brehmer, Max Bachmann, Peter Ziemer, Stefan Beck, Michael Wechs, Matthias Hom, Fabian Kutter, Oliver Bayer, Thomas Kroh, Thomas Martin, Reinhard Vollmar, Juri Pawlakowitsch
  • Patent number: 12083879
    Abstract: A transmission may include an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a first planetary gearset, and a second planetary gearset connected to the first planetary gearset, where the planetary gearsets each comprise numerous elements. The input shaft, the two output shafts, the planetary gearsets, and their elements may be arranged and designed such that a torque input via the input shaft is converted and distributed in a defined ratio to the two output shafts, and the formation of a combined torque is prevented. At least a third element of the first planetary gearset may be connected to a first element of the second planetary gearset via a shaft for conjoint rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Stefan Beck
  • Publication number: 20240262175
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a transmission comprising an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set which is connected to the first planetary gear set. Each of the planetary gear sets comprises multiple elements. The input shaft, the two output shafts, the planetary gear sets, as well as the elements thereof are arranged and designed such that—a torque introduced via the input shaft is converted and is distributed to the two output shafts in a defined ratio, and the development of a sum torque is prevented. At least one element of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to another element of the second planetary gear set. Another element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Stefan Beck
  • Publication number: 20240239180
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    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: 11994195
    Abstract: A transmission has an input shaft, first and second output shafts, and first and second planetary gear-set, connected together. The first output shaft is rotationally fixed to a first planetary gear-set second element, the second output shaft is rotationally fixed to a second planetary gear-set third element, a first planetary gear-set third element is rotationally fixed to a second planetary gear-set first element via a shaft, and a second planetary gear-set second element is secured to a rotationally fixed component. A first shift element blocks the third planetary gear-set by connecting third planetary gear-set elements in a rotationally fixed manner, a second shift element secures a third planetary gear-set first element to the rotationally fixed component, a third planetary gear-set second element is rotationally fixed to the first planetary gear-set first element via an intermediate shaft, and a third planetary gear-set third element is rotationally fixed to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch, Eckhardt Lübke, Timo Wehlen
  • Publication number: 20240117868
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes a first, a second, and a third planetary gear set, an input shaft, a first and a second output shaft, and a first and a second coupling shaft. Respective elements of the first planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the input shaft, rotationally fixed to the first coupling shaft, and rotationally fixed to the second coupling shaft. Respective elements of the second planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the first coupling shaft, rotationally fixed to a stationary component, and rotationally fixed to the second output shaft. Respective elements of the third planetary gear set are rotationally fixed to the second coupling shaft, rotationally fixed to the first output shaft, and rotationally fixed to the second output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Matthias Reisch, Eckhardt Lübke, Domenico Bartilucci, Tamas Gyarmati
  • Publication number: 20240116346
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a transmission comprising an input shaft, a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set which is connected to the first planetary gear set. Each of the planetary gear sets comprises multiple elements. The input shaft, the two output shafts, the planetary gear sets, as well as the elements thereof are arranged and designed such that—a torque introduced via the input shaft is converted and is distributed to the two output shafts in a defined ratio, and the development of a sum torque is prevented. At least one element of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to another element of the second planetary gear set. Another element of the second planetary gear set is secured to a rotationally fixed component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Matthias Reisch, Stefan Beck