IP Library Granted Patent US 12680578
Granted Patent B2
US 12680578 · App. 18/967,301 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Apparatus for transmitting torque

Inventors: Philip Dötschel (Friedrichshafen, DE); Martin Brehmer (Tettnang, DE)
Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
F16D1/108B60K1/00F16H48/10F16H57/082B60K2001/001F16D2001/103F16H2048/104F16H2048/106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12680578
App. No.
18/967,301
Filed
Dec 3, 2024
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3655
USPC
475/150
Abstract

An apparatus for transmitting torque includes a hub element and a shaft element. The hub element includes a hub engagement section ( 42 ) with a hub take-up profile which may be brought into engagement with a shaft engagement section ( 41 ) with a shaft take-up profile of the shaft element for transmitting torque. The hub element includes a hub connection section arranged offset in the axial direction towards a connection side relative to the hub engagement section ( 42 ). The shaft element includes a shaft connection section arranged offset in the axial direction towards the connection side relative to the shaft engagement section ( 41 ).

Claims (43)

1 . An apparatus for transmitting torque, comprising:

a hub element comprising a hub engagement section ( 42 ) with a hub take-up profile and also comprises a hub connection section; and

a shaft element comprising a shaft engagement section ( 41 ) with a shaft take-up profile and also comprises a shaft connection section,

wherein the hub engagement section ( 42 ) with the hub take-up profile is configured to be brought into engagement with the shaft engagement section ( 41 ) with the shaft take-up profile of the shaft element for transmitting torque,

wherein the hub connection section is configured for receiving torque and is arranged offset in an axial direction towards a connection side relative to the hub engagement section ( 42 ) such that the hub engagement section ( 42 ) extends in the axial direction at least partially towards an engagement side opposite the connection side relative to an end of the hub connection section, the end of the hub connection section being on the engagement side and directly connected to an offset section ( 30 ) comprising a radial section extending inwardly in a radial direction to the hub engagement section ( 42 ),

wherein the shaft connection section is configured for outputting torque and is arranged offset in the axial direction towards the connection side relative to the shaft engagement section ( 41 ), and

wherein the hub engagement section ( 42 ) and the shaft engagement section ( 41 ) are configured for a uniform force distribution in the axial direction between the hub take-up profile and the shaft take-up profile.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hub element is displaceable in the axial direction relative to the shaft element.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hub element comprises an offset section ( 30 ) that extends in the axial direction from the hub connection section towards the engagement side and is torque-proofly connected to an area of the hub engagement section ( 42 ).

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the offset section ( 30 ) is connected to a central area of the hub engagement section ( 42 ) in the axial direction.

5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the offset section ( 30 ) is connected to an end area of the hub engagement section ( 42 ) arranged on the engagement side in the axial direction.

6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the offset section ( 30 ) and the hub engagement section ( 42 ) are configured in two parts, and the offset section ( 30 ) is torque-proofly connected to the hub engagement section ( 42 ) by welding.

7 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the offset section ( 30 ) is configured as one piece with the hub engagement section ( 42 ) and the connection section.

8 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising an axial securing mechanism ( 50 ) arranged on the engagement side in the axial direction relative to the offset section ( 30 ), the axial securing mechanism ( 50 ) positioning the shaft element relative to the hub element in the axial direction.

9 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hub element is formed by a first planet carrier ( 12 ) of a first planet gear set ( 10 ).

10 . A differential transmission, comprising:

an input element ( 4 );

a first gear set;

a second gear set;

a first output shaft ( 5 );

a second output shaft ( 6 ); and

the apparatus of claim 1 ,

wherein the input element ( 4 ) is mechanically operatively connected to the first gear set for torque transmission,

wherein the first gear set is mechanically operatively connected to the second gear set for torque transmission,

wherein the first gear set is mechanically operatively connected to the first output shaft ( 5 ) for torque output,

wherein the second gear set is mechanically operatively connected to the second output shaft ( 6 ) for torque output, and

wherein the first output shaft ( 5 ) forms the shaft element of the apparatus.

11 . The differential transmission of claim 10 , wherein:

the first gear set is formed by a first planet gear set ( 10 );

the second gear set is formed by a second planet gear set; and

a first planet carrier ( 12 ) of the first planet gear set ( 10 ) forms the hub element.

12 . The differential transmission of claim 11 , wherein:

the input element ( 4 ) is torque-proofly connected to a first sun gear ( 11 ) of the first planet gear set ( 10 );

the first planet carrier ( 12 ) is torque-proofly connected to the first output shaft ( 5 ) for torque output from the first planet gear set ( 10 ); and

a second ring gear of the second planet gear set is torque-proofly connected to the second output shaft ( 6 ) for torque output from the second planet gear set.

13 . The differential transmission of claim 11 , wherein the first planet gear set ( 10 ) and the second planet gear set are stacked together.

14 . A vehicle, comprising:

a drive unit;

two drive wheels; and

the differential transmission of claim 10 ,

wherein the drive unit is configured for driving the input element ( 4 ),

wherein one of the two drive wheels is configured for driving the vehicle via the first output shaft ( 5 ), and

wherein the other of the two drive wheels is configured for driving the vehicle via the second output shaft ( 6 ).