Patents by Inventor Stefan Blattner

Stefan Blattner 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: 12654537
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (2) has a first drive input shaft (9), a second drive input shaft (10), a drive output shaft (11), and a first planetary gearset (P1) and a second planetary gearset (P2). The drive input shafts (9, 10) are designed to be coupled in each case to a respective drive machine. In addition, a first shifting device (26) and a second shifting device (27) are provided. The motor vehicle transmission can be part of a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, or a hybrid or electric vehicle. A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle transmission and a drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20260097688
    Abstract: A method is provided for heating components of a vehicle having a first electric drive unit, a second electric drive unit, and an inverter system for supplying the electric drive units with alternating current. The first electric drive unit produces a first torque and the second electric drive unit produces a second torque, where a sum of the first and second torques is a driving torque. For producing a desired driving torque the first electric drive unit is operated as a generator and the second electric drive unit is operated as a motor so that a total current flow is produced in the inverter system that is greater than a total current flow that would be produced in the inverter system when both electric drive units are operated as motors to produce the desired driving torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2025
    Publication date: April 9, 2026
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thorsten LEIM, Stefan BLATTNER, Stefan BEMETZ, Dennis WOHLFAHRT, Christian MITTELBERGER, Jochen BREUER, Mario STEINBORN, Fabian LEY, Hannes WERNER, Stefan SPÜHLER, Benjamin BERGER
  • Publication number: 20260043470
    Abstract: A method for ensuring a desired shifting state in a shiftable electric drivetrain (16) of a vehicle (15) is characterized in that the method includes an ascertaining process during which it is ensured that the desired shifting state corresponds to an actual shifting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Hannes WERNER, Stefan BEMETZ, Alexey RYABININ, Christian MITTELBERGER, Stefan BLATTNER, Xianghui SHEN, Mario STEINBORN, Matthias MÜLLER, Benjamin BERGER, Franz BITZER, Anton FRITZER
  • Patent number: 12409839
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle (1) having at least one driven axle (3) with a locking differential (10a), where when the motor vehicle (1) is driving and the locking differential (10a) concerned is engaged on at least one driven axle (3), it is checked whether the motor vehicle is driving round a curve. If it is found that the motor vehicle is driving round a curve, the engaged locking differential (10a) is actuated to disengage it and it is checked whether the locking differential (10a) concerned has in fact been disengaged. If it is found that the locking differential (10a) concerned has not been disengaged, the wheel of the driven axle (3) concerned on the outside of the curve is braked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Spühler, Stefan Blattner, Stefan Bemetz, Dennis Wohlfahrt, Thorsten Leim, Jochen Breuer, Mario Steinborn, Fabian Ley, Hannes Werner, Benjamin Berger, Christian Mittelberger
  • Publication number: 20250198485
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (2) has a first drive input shaft (9), a second drive input shaft (10), a drive output shaft (11), and a first planetary gearset (P1) and a second planetary gearset (P2), where the drive input shafts (9, 10) are each provided for coupling to a respective drive machine. Furthermore, a first shifting device (26) and a second shifting device (27) are provided. In addition, the invention relates to a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, a hybrid or electric vehicle and methods for operating a motor vehicle transmission and a drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Renner, Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger
  • Publication number: 20250196611
    Abstract: A motor vehicle transmission (2) has a first drive input shaft (9), a second drive input shaft (10), a drive output shaft (11), and a first planetary gearset (P1) and a second planetary gearset (P2). The drive input shafts (9, 10) are designed to be coupled in each case to a respective drive machine. In addition, a first shifting device (26) and a second shifting device (27) are provided. The motor vehicle transmission can be part of a drive unit (1), a motor vehicle drive axle, or a hybrid or electric vehicle. A method for operating a motor vehicle transmission and a drive unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Thomas Martin, Fabian Kutter, Johannes Glückler, Kai Bornträger, Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Renner
  • Publication number: 20240383476
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle (1) having at least one driven axle (3) with a locking differential (10a), where when the motor vehicle (1) is driving and the locking differential (10a) concerned is engaged on at least one driven axle (3), it is checked whether the motor vehicle is driving round a curve. If it is found that the motor vehicle is driving round a curve, the engaged locking differential (10a) is actuated to disengage it and it is checked whether the locking differential (10a) concerned has in fact been disengaged. If it is found that the locking differential (10a) concerned has not been disengaged, the wheel of the driven axle (3) concerned on the outside of the curve is braked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Spühler, Stefan Blattner, Stefan Bemetz, Dennis Wohlfahrt, Thorsten Leim, Jochen Breuer, Mario Steinborn, Fabian Ley, Hannes Werner, Benjamin Berger, Christian Mittelberger
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 10968994
    Abstract: A drive-train for a vehicle having at least one electric drive unit (EM) which is, or can be, coupled by way of a driveshaft (AW) to at least a first transmission stage (i1), a second transmission stage (i2) and a third transmission stage (i3). At least one shifting device having at least two interlocking shifting elements (S1, S2) is provided for engaging the first and second transmission stages (i1, i2), and a frictional shifting element (S3) is provided for traction a force support of the first and the second transmission stages. The frictional shifting element (S3) is also provided for engaging the third transmission stage (i3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Blattner
  • Patent number: 10724617
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission including two sub-transmissions, each having an input shaft arranged on an input axis, an intermediate shaft and an output shaft which is the drive output of both sub-transmissions. The intermediate shaft can be connected to the input and output shafts. The transmission also has wheel planes, shifting elements, two clutches and countershafts. A first countershaft can be connected to transmission elements of all the wheel planes on the countershaft axis and a second countershaft is connected to transmission elements of at least two wheel planes. The shifting elements include at least one single shifting element, but most of the shifting elements are double shifting elements. Two shifting elements are arranged on the input axis between two wheel planes, whose transmission elements are connected to the second countershaft. Opposite sides of the intermediate shaft are respectively connected to a range group and the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Blattner, Christian Mittelberger, Eckhardt Lübke
  • Patent number: 10654464
    Abstract: A method for compensation of a support torque at a combustion engine and transmission which provide an overlay of combustion engine and electric machine. The combustion engine, the electric machine, and a transmission gearset are connected with each other via a planetary gearset, which is positioned in front of a downstream transmission gearset. The invention concerns a transmission gearset of a three-shaft transmission, each with a transmission input shaft for the electric machine, and for the combustion engine, and an output shaft. For the connection or disconnection of the transmission input shaft of the electric machine while driving, the electric machine is used for the synchronization of the input shaft of the electric machine, and the created support torque at the combustion engine is determined, based on this support torque, to match a combustion engine torque and thus to compensate the support torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Glückler, Christian Mittelberger, Kai Bornträger, Andreas Heinzler, Jochen Breuer, Stefan Blattner, Thorsten Leim, Rick Hauschwitz
  • Publication number: 20200116244
    Abstract: A drive-train for a vehicle having at least one electric drive unit (EM) which is, or can be, coupled by way of a driveshaft (AW) to at least a first transmission stage (i1), a second transmission stage (i2) and a third transmission stage (i3). At least one shifting device having at least two interlocking shifting elements (S1, S2) is provided for engaging the first and second transmission stages (i1, i2), and a frictional shifting element (S3) is provided for traction a force support of the first and the second transmission stages. The frictional shifting element (S3) is also provided for engaging the third transmission stage (i3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Christian MITTELBERGER, Stefan BLATTNER
  • Publication number: 20190367035
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive-train having two drives, a drive output, a manual transmission having a planetary gearset and two independent load paths. From the first and second drives, torque can pass to the output via respective first and second paths. The two drives can be coupled to respective elements of the planetary gearset, and the transmission is coupled to a web gear. To start, when torque passes to the output first via a second path gear and thereafter via a first path gear whose ratio is different from that of the second path gear, then before changing from the second path to the first path, the torque passed at the web gear is changed such that if torque desired by the driver is unchanged, despite the change from the second to the first path, the torque acting at the output remains constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Christian MITTELBERGER, Stefan BLATTNER, Kai BORNTRÄGER, Johannes GLÜCKLER, Markus EISELE
  • Patent number: 10486518
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle transmission (1) having internal combustion engine (8) and electric machine (5). The transmission (1) comprises main transmission (HG) with two parallel partial transmissions; output shaft (4); first (R1), second (R2), third (R3), fourth (R4) and output constant (R5) gear planes each comprising a fixed gear on countershaft (VW) and respective meshing loose gear; first (A), second (B), third (C), fourth (D), fifth (E), sixth (F), seventh (G) and eighth (H) shift elements. Whenever eighth shift element (H) is engaged, the loose gear of fifth gear plane (R5) is engaged with the output shaft (4) of the main transmission (HG), whenever the seventh shift element (G) is engaged, loose gear of fourth gear plane (R4) is engaged with the output shaft (4), and whenever the sixth shift element (F) is engaged, loose gear of fourth gear plane (R4) is engaged with the first transmission input shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Christian Mittelberger, Stefan Renner, Stefan Blattner
  • Publication number: 20190031016
    Abstract: A method for compensation of a support torque at a combustion engine and transmission which provide an overlay of combustion engine and electric machine. The combustion engine, the electric machine, and a transmission gearset are connected with each other via a planetary gearset, which is positioned in front of a downstream transmission gearset. The invention concerns a transmission gearset of a three-shaft transmission, each with a transmission input shaft for the electric machine, and for the combustion engine, and an output shaft. For the connection or disconnection of the transmission input shaft of the electric machine while driving, the electric machine is used for the synchronization of the input shaft of the electric machine, and the created support torque at the combustion engine is determined, based on this support torque, to match a combustion engine torque and thus to compensate the support torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Johannes GLÜCKLER, Christian MITTELBERGER, Kai BORNTRÄGER, Andreas HEINZLER, Jochen BREUER, Stefan BLATTNER, Thorsten LEIM, Rick HAUSCHWITZ
  • Publication number: 20190011017
    Abstract: A transmission having two clutches which engage to drive respective input shafts coaxially arranged along an input axis on an input side of the transmission. An output shaft outputs drive from both input shafts. The transmission has a plurality of wheel planes and shifting elements. A first countershaft extends along a countershaft axis over all the wheel planes and a coaxial, hollow second countershaft has transmission elements of two wheel planes. A shifting element couples the countershafts. At least six forward gears can be engaged including overdrive and direct gears. An additional gear, having a gear ratio greater than one, can be obtained by actuating only one shifting element. The direct gear can be obtained by actuating one shifting element and the overdrive gear can be engaged by actuating two shifting elements axially arranged on a side of the shifting element that actuates the additional gear facing the input side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Stefan BLATTNER, Christian MITTELBERGER
  • Publication number: 20180319267
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle transmission (1) having internal combustion engine (8) and electric machine (5). The transmission (1) comprises main transmission (HG) with two parallel partial transmissions; output shaft (4); first (R1), second (R2), third (R3), fourth (R4) and output constant (R5) gear planes each comprising a fixed gear on countershaft (VW) and respective meshing loose gear; first (A), second (B), third (C), fourth (D), fifth (E), sixth (F), seventh (G) and eighth (H) shift elements. Whenever eighth shift element (H) is engaged, the loose gear of fifth gear plane (R5) is engaged with the output shaft (4) of the main transmission (HG), whenever the seventh shift element (G) is engaged, loose gear of fourth gear plane (R4) is engaged with the output shaft (4), and whenever the sixth shift element (F) is engaged, loose gear of fourth gear plane (R4) is engaged with the first transmission input shaft (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Johannes KALTENBACH, Christian MITTELBERGER, Stefan RENNER, Stefan BLATTNER
  • Publication number: 20180238427
    Abstract: A double clutch transmission having a first and a second input shaft; a countershaft; a drive output shaft; a first sub-transmission having two gearsets, of which one gearset can be selectively connected to transmit torque between the first input shaft and the countershaft; a second sub-transmission having two gearsets, of which one gearset can be selectively connected to transmit torque between the second input shaft and the countershaft; and a third sub-transmission having one gearset which can be connected to transmit torque between the countershaft and the drive output shaft. In this case, one of the gearsets of the first sub-transmission coincides with one of the gearsets of the second sub-transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Christian MITTELBERGER, Stefan BLATTNER
  • Publication number: 20180058547
    Abstract: A dual-clutch transmission including first and second sub-transmissions, each having a respective input shaft. The input shafts can be coupled to a drive input shaft via a respective clutch. A transmission output shaft is common to both sub-transmissions. The input shafts are coaxial such that one shaft passing through the other which is hollow. An output shaft extends behind and is coaxial with the input shafts. To provide at least seven fully powershiftable forward gears, the two sub-transmissions together have a total of six wheel planes arranged axially, one behind another, and gearwheels which are associated with the first and second input shafts as well as the output shaft and a countershaft that extends parallel to those shafts. Depending on the shift position of seven interlocking shifting elements of the two sub-transmissions, the gearwheels of the six wheel planes transmit torque from the drive input shaft to the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan BLATTNER, Christian MITTELBERGER