Steering shaft for a motor vehicle steering system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016201728-A1
Application number	US-201414914545-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 8, 2014
Priority date	Aug 27, 2013
Publication date	Jul 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An example steering shaft for a motor vehicle steering system for use with a power assistance system may include an input shaft, an output shaft, and a torsion bar. The torsion bar may connect the input and output shafts in a torsionally elastic manner for purposes of transmitting a torque, in many cases from the input shaft to the output shaft. In particular, a joining section of the torsion bar may be connected to a joining socket of one or more of the input shaft or the output shaft. The joining section may include partial elevations for forming a nonpositive and positive connection to the joining socket.

First claim

1 .- 10 . (canceled)

11 . A steering shaft for a motor vehicle steering system for use with a power assistance system, the steering shaft comprising:
an input shaft; an output shaft; and a torsion bar for connecting the input shaft to the output shaft in a torsionally elastic manner for transmitting a torque, wherein a joining section of the torsion bar has partial elevations for forming a nonpositive and positive connection to a joining socket of at least one of the input shaft or the output shaft.

12 . The steering shaft of claim 11 wherein the partial elevations of the joining section are formed not by cutting, but by displacement of material by at least one of roller forming, knurling, or embossing.

13 . The steering shaft of claim 11 wherein the partial elevations of the joining section comprise at least one of continuous beads or rings as a continuous thread or as ribs extending continuously along the joining section in a direction in which the joining section is pressed into the joining socket.

14 . The steering shaft of claim 11 wherein the joining socket comprises partial elevations.

15 . The steering shaft of claim 14 wherein the partial elevations of the joining socket are formed not by cutting, but by displacement of material by at least one of roller forming, knurling, or embossing.

16 . The steering shaft of claim 14 wherein the partial elevations of the joining section are substantially perpendicular to the partial elevations of the joining socket, within a range of ±10 degrees.

17 . The steering shaft of claim 14 wherein the partial elevations of the joining socket comprise at least one of continuous beads or rings as a continuous thread or as ribs extending continuously along the joining section in a direction in which the joining section is pressed into the joining socket.

18 . The steering shaft of claim 14 wherein the torsion bar comprises a smooth centering section that adjoins the joining section.

19 . The steering shaft of claim 14 wherein the torsion bar comprises a smooth centering section that directly adjoins the joining section.

20 . The steering shaft of claim 11 wherein a first end of the torsion bar facing the input shaft comprises a first joining section with partial elevations configured to form a nonpositive and positive connection with the joining socket of the input shaft, wherein a second end of the torsion bar facing the output shaft comprises a second joining section with partial elevations configured to form a nonpositive and positive connection with the joining socket of the output shaft.

21 . The steering shaft of claim 11 wherein the input shaft is connected to the output shaft by loose positive engagement.

Assignees

• Thyssenkrupp Presta Ag
• Thyssenkrupp Ag
• Thyssenkrupp Ag

Inventors

• Strobel Joseph-Léon
• Lass Eugen
• Renggli Patrick
• Knoll Peter
• Schlegel Ueli

Classifications

• F16D1/072

  involving plastic deformation (plastic welding F16D1/068) · CPC title

• F16D1/0858

  due to the elasticity of the hub (including shrink fits) · CPC title

• F16C3/023

  made of several parts, e.g. by welding · CPC title

• B62D6/10 Primary

  characterised by means for sensing {or determining} torque · CPC title

• F16D1/02 Primary

  for connecting two abutting shafts or the like · CPC title