Articulated shaft

Abstract

In an articulated shaft for the transfer of torque from a transmission to a differential drive, including a connecting flange having a tube section, a shaft plate disposed between the connecting flange and a transmission output flange and forming a torsion element for accommodating some articulation of the connecting flange relative to the output flange, and a centering part extending from the connecting flange for aligning the articulated shaft relative to a transmission shaft, the connecting flange is formed integrally with the tube section by deep drawing and punching, the centering part being pressed into the tube section.

1 . An articulated shaft ( 1 ) for the transfer of torque from a transmission to a differential drive, comprising a connecting flange ( 2 ) including a tube section ( 3 ) for coupling the articulated shaft ( 1 ) to a transmission output flange ( 4 ), a shaft plate ( 5 ) disposed between the connecting flange ( 2 ) and the transmission output flange ( 4 ) and forming a torsion element accommodating also some articulation of the connecting flange ( 2 ) relative to the output flange ( 4 ) and a centering part ( 6 ) pressed into the connecting flange ( 2 ) for aligning the articulated shaft ( 1 ) relative to a transmission shaft ( 7 ) said connecting flange ( 2 ) being formed integrally with the tube section ( 3 ) by deep-drawing and punching.  
   
   
       2 . An articulated shaft according to  claim 1 , wherein a support element ( 8 ) connected to the shaft plate ( 5 ) engages the centering part ( 6 B) for centering the shaft plate ( 5 ) relative to the connecting flange ( 2 ).  
   
   
       3 . An articulated shaft according to  claim 2 , wherein the support element ( 8 ) comprises a disc section disposed adjacent the shaft plate ( 5 ) and a central sleeve section ( 9 ) engaging the centering part ( 6 B).  
   
   
       4 . An articulated shaft according to  claim 2 , wherein the centering part ( 6 B) includes a collar ( 10 ) projecting axially toward the output flange ( 4 ) and the support element ( 8 ) engages the collar ( 10 ) at its outer circumference for centering.  
   
   
       5 . A method for the manufacture of an articulated shaft ( 1 ) for the transfer of torque from a transmission to a differential drive, comprising a connecting flange ( 2 ) including a tube section ( 3 ) for coupling the articulated shaft ( 1 ) to a transmission output flange ( 4 ), a shaft plate ( 5 ) disposed between the connecting flange ( 2 ) and the transmission output flange ( 4 ) and forming a torsion element accommodating also some articulation of the connecting flange ( 2 ) relative to the output flange ( 4 ) and a centering part ( 6 ) pressed into the connecting flange ( 2 ) formed integrally with the tube section ( 3 ) for aligning the articulated shaft ( 1 ) relative to a transmission shaft ( 7 ), said method comprising the steps of: 
 deep drawing and punching in a follow-up tool the connecting flange ( 2 ) and the tube section ( 3 ) so as to form them integrally in a first manufacturing step, deep-drawing the centering part ( 6 ,  6 A,  6 B) in a second manufacturing step and, in a third manufacturing step, pressing the centering part ( 6 ,  6 A,  6 B) into the connecting flange ( 2 ) and into the tube section ( 3 ).