DE20122204U1 - Storage box for the bearing of a steering shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

Multipart Jacket tube for a steering shaft with at least a first, upper part and a second, lower part that over a connecting element are interconnected and one of the Parts in one to its longitudinal extent vertical plane an approximately U-shaped or trapezoidal Cross-section and on the two opposite, facing away from each other faces of the first, upper and / or second, lower part of the warehouse receiving points are provided which have a seamless, closed ring and over a connecting element with the first, upper and / or second, lower part are connected, characterized in that the connecting element between the first, upper and second, lower part (3, 4) as well between the respective warehouse location (7, 8; 112) and the first, upper and / or second, lower part (3, 4) by a Laser or plasma welding or adhesive layer is formed.

Description

The The invention relates to a multi-part jacket tube for a steering shaft accordingly the features in the preamble of claim 1.

In the EP 0 816 204 A1 describes a jacket tube that consists of several stamped and bent parts. An upper part for surrounding the steering shaft is approximately U-shaped in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal extent with a curved upper part and two flat side legs. A lower part is essentially flat and closes off the upper part. Another essentially flat part riveted to the upper part for stiffening is attached parallel to the lower part. At the front ends of the casing tube, non-cutting, jointless bearing receiving points are provided, into which ball bearings for pressing the steering shaft are pressed. The bearing receiving points are produced in the ironing process, i.e. by non-cutting deformation, and are only connected to the casing tube with the aid of riveted joints made with rivet flaps. The upper and lower parts are connected by riveting together. For this purpose, the lower part is provided with rags on the side, which engage in holes in the side legs of the upper part and are caulked. Some of these riveting points can be replaced by spot welding points or the riveting points are additionally reinforced by spot welding.

From the DE 692 00 117 T2 describes a one-piece jacket tube produced without cutting, which consists of one and the same sheet metal blank, which is formed into cylindrical tube sections in a front and rear end region and bearings for the steering shaft are pressed directly into these sections. After the sheet metal blank has been formed, the edges of the sheet metal blank to be brought together are joined together either by means of a clamp system or by flanging or welding. The disadvantage here is that a relatively high amount of assembly work is required and that automated production is only possible under difficult conditions and high tolerance deviations.

The The present invention has for its object a multi-part To create a casing pipe that is very simple and in just a few Manufacturing steps manufactured in compliance with the narrowest tolerance limits can be and is also characterized by a high rigidity.

This The object of the invention is achieved by the features in claim 1. The surprising advantages are that solely due to the U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-sectional design of the first, upper part, the jacket tube is given a high rigidity becomes. The upper and lower parts are like a weld a laser or plasma weld or an adhesive layer connected to each other, with which the together only one parts to be connected locally, minimal heat input or no heat input be exposed and the jacket tube with high accuracy and only can be manufactured with the smallest tolerance deviations. To comes that a glued connection remains largely free of interference, the opposite of welding not completely excluded due to oxygen inclusions that may occur can be. In addition, these joining methods are used a safe and inexpensive Connection technology. Pre-assembly of others is also possible Components, for example made of plastic, possible on the casing tube without that this during joining inadmissible be deformed.

advantageous Training of the warehouse reception points and the second, lower part are in the claims 2 to 7 described. Is the second, lower part in cross section also U-shaped or trapezoidal trained, a high rigidity is achieved by the casing tube and is a simple production of the two open profile cross sections from a flat blank possible. In another version is against it the second, lower part through a commercially available and inexpensive, cylindrical tube formed.

Advantageous is also a variant according to the claims 8 to 10, which makes assembly easier, in particular for connecting is reached and the welding and bending devices can be designed easily.

there a further training according to claim 11 has proven to be advantageous, because putting the two parts together with a much smaller one Accuracy can take place and thereby the formation of the centering device or positioning device can be significantly simplified.

Advantageous is also a training according to claim 12, which the number the different work processes, especially welding and gluing processes are reduced.

By the training according to claims 13 to 15, the for the space required for the steering shaft is provided and the rigidity of the construction increases.

Another training variant is described in claims 16 and 17, whereby an optimal placement of the first, upper part is granted to the second, lower part and leads to an acceleration of the assembly. In addition, the establishment of the connection between the parts is significantly simplified.

Advantageous is also a variant according to claim 18, which causes an increase in rigidity.

Of The further developments according to claims 19 are also advantageous to 21, because by attaching a reinforcement bar even at a thin Construction of the first, upper and second, lower part one sufficient rigidity is achieved. It is also an easy one Adaptation of accessories, especially damping elements, on the reinforcement bar possible. The arrangement of damping elements in the end positions of the recess enables a low-noise Length adjustment the steering shaft or operating height of the steering wheel and at the same time protects the construction reached.

By the training according to claim 22 is a space-saving and compact Training of the casing tube achieved with a low component weight.

The embodiment variant described in claim 23 allows one due to its low heat input exact manufacture of the casing tube.

Advantageous is also the training in which the warehouse reception points unite outer ring form a bearing as described in claim 24.

A further advantageous arrangement and design of the storage location is described in claim 25.

Is cheap but also a variant according to claim 26, which the production the warehouse receiving points significantly simplified and the number of individual Components reduced.

The Invention is illustrated below with reference to that in the drawings embodiments explained in more detail.

It demonstrate:

1 a perspective view of the casing tube according to the invention with two bearing receiving points;

2 the jacket tube in front view enlarged and cut according to lines II - II in 1 ;

3 the jacket pipe after 1 with the bearing receiving points, bearings, reinforcing strip and a sleeve, cut in side view and simplified representation;

4 the reinforcement bar in plan view and enlarged view;

5 the reinforcement bar, cut according to the lines V - V in 4 ;

6 cut another embodiment of the casing tube according to the invention in front view;

7 a further embodiment of the casing tube according to the invention cut in front view;

8th a further embodiment of the casing tube according to the invention cut in front view;

9 the jacket pipe according to the invention with the molded on this bearing receiving points and a simplified representation;

10 cut another embodiment of the casing tube according to the invention in front view;

11 a further embodiment of the casing tube according to the invention cut in front view;

12 a bar with recess in plan view and simplified representation;

13 the bar is cut according to lines XIII - XIII in 12 ;

14 a jacket tube according to the invention with an outer ring of a bearing directly attached to the end faces, cut in side view and greatly simplified representation.

In the introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names. The position information selected in the description, such as, for example, top, bottom, side, etc., are based on the figure described and illustrated immediately and are to be transferred accordingly to the new position in the event of a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the ge showed and described different embodiments for themselves independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

In the 1 to 5 is a first embodiment of the casing tube according to the invention 1 shown that one with a recess 2 equipped first, upper part 3 and a second, lower part opposite this 4 is formed. The casing tube 1 , as used for example in motor vehicles, has on two opposite end faces 5 and 6 Bearing receiving points 7 and 8th , which are designed in particular as bearing seat rings or bearing shells and with the casing tube 1 are connected to one another via a connecting element, for example welded and / or glued. The for receiving schematically illustrated bearings 9 and 10 , in particular ball bearings, provided, seamless, tubular bearing receiving points 7 and 8th , are with an inner diameter 11 and an outer diameter 12 executed and have one with the end faces 5 . 6 connected, flat support plate. The one with a width 13 executed, seamless storage locations 7 and 8th form a pipe section or ring, which is manufactured in the rolling process or deep drawing process, etc. The bearing receiving point pointing in the direction of the driver's cabin is preferred 7 executed with a larger width than the storage location opposite this 8th , The warehouse reception points 7 and 8th can be designed such that the bearings 9 and 10 with the warehouse receiving points 7 and 8th are permanently connected, for example pressed in, welded on, glued etc. or that from the warehouse 9 and 10 trained outer ring with the bearing location 7 and 8th forms a one-piece component.

Adjusting the length and guidance of a steering shaft 15 towards a steering shaft center line 16 requires that at the top 3 of the casing tube 1 recess made 2 , which can be designed, for example, as a longitudinal groove, longitudinal slot, elongated hole in order to allow the operating position of a steering wheel to be varied.

The casing tube 1 is on a surface 17 of the upper part 3 with several distributed holes 18 and 19 for connecting a reinforcement bar 20 with the casing tube 1 Mistake. The inside, at a base 21 parallel to the steering shaft center line 16 attached reinforcement bar 20 serves to stiffen the recess 2 provided, upper part 3 and is from the outside or inside, preferably from the outside by a welded connection to the jacket tube 1 connected. Any welding method, in particular plasma welding or laser welding etc., can be used for this welded connection, which is a connection with or without filler material between the reinforcement strip 20 and the casing tube 1 , especially the upper part 3 enable.

From the upper part 3 with a height 22 and the lower part 4 with a height 23 trained end faces 24 and 25 form a parallel to the surface 17 running, imaginary division level 26 on which a perpendicular axis of symmetry 27 is arranged. The height is preferred 22 of the upper part 3 larger than that of the lower part 4 trained height 23 executed. A wall thickness 28 of the upper part 3 corresponds to a wall thickness 29 of the lower part 4 and expediently remains constant over an entire cross section. The upper part 3 with the height 22 has a polygonal, for example trapezoidal or U-shaped cross section, one at an upper edge 31 the surface 17 trained width dimension 32 is smaller than a parallel to the width dimension 32 arranged outer dimension 33 , The one between the top edge 31 of the upper part 3 and the imaginary division level 26 trained parts of side legs 34 are towards the height 22 arranged inclined to each other and widen with increasing distance from the base 21 according to an angle 35 up to one parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged intermediate part 36 with an outside dimension 37 , which has a slight taper in the subsequent area. This includes parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 subordinate end part 38 at the one with the two end faces 24 , the contact points to the lower part 4 forms, which with a connecting element with the lower part 4 is connected.

By using a uniform wall thickness 28 and 29 is on the end faces 24 and 25 of the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 an overlap at the imaginary parting plane 26 created, for example, half the wall thickness 28 and 29 can correspond. The fillet formed by the overlap 39 on one of the symmetry axes 27 opposite outside or one of the symmetry axis 27 facing inside of the casing tube 1 is of great advantage for establishing a connection, in particular a welded connection. Such a design will simplify the preparatory work, which in the broader sense for the connection of the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 are achieved, since the assembly facilities can be made structurally simpler and more economical. This considerably simplifies and speeds up assembly work.

The lower part 4 with the height 23 forms, for example, a U-shaped cross section and has two parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 trending side legs 43 on whose outer dimension 44 compared to the outside dimension 33 is made smaller, equal or larger and can with the outer dimension 37 be equated. Accordingly, there is the overlap and a resulting projection of the inside or the outside. Of course, there is also the possibility that the side legs are congruent 34 and 43 results.

The towards the steering shaft centerline 16 arranged, with a length 45 , Width 46 and a strength 47 rectangular reinforcement bar 20 , is right at the base 21 below that with a width 48 and a length 49 positioned recess 2 of the upper part 3 appropriate. The reinforcement bar 20 has one in the direction of length 45 recess made 50 , in particular a longitudinal groove, the width of which 51 and length 52 equal and / or greater than the length 49 and width 48 the recess 2 of the casing tube 1 are.

Opposing and parallel side surfaces 53 the reinforcement bar 20 are in some areas on the course of the side legs 34 customized. Two on opposite end faces 55 and 56 at a distance 57 perpendicular to the reinforcement bar 20 aligned tabs 58 , have a hole 59 with a diameter 60 for the absorption of damping elements 61 (please refer 3 ), for example elastomer dampers, air dampers or spring dampers etc. Of course, the damping elements 61 about all possible types of connection, for example gluing, pressing, clamping, riveting, etc. to the tabs 58 be attached. That through the damping organs 61 existing end position damping, helps to protect the construction and also specifies a sufficient adjustment path.

The length 52 the one in the reinforcement bar 20 attached recess 50 can be designed so that the tabs 58 immediately in line or, as in 3 shown, spaced from the end positions of the casing tube 1 attached recess 2 are positioned. The tabs 58 can for example by means of rivets, gluing, welding etc. on the reinforcement bar 20 be attached. The reinforcement bar 20 can be manufactured as a blank on which the tabs 58 are attached. Another version is that the upper part 3 of the casing tube 1 that for the tabs 58 the required material in the form of notches is taken into account during production and in a subsequent forming process, the tabs 58 90 ° to the surface 17 of the upper part 3 be bent.

The one through the recess 2 in the upper part 3 weakened cross section is due to the attachment of the reinforcing bar 20 to a robust and rigid construction consisting of the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 educated. With this design, it is not necessary to make the entire construction more robust, which in turn means weight and material savings. The reinforcement bar 20 can be made from a wide variety of materials that have a corresponding strength, in particular materials such as steel, plastics of all kinds or glass fiber reinforced plastics etc., which can be used in coordination with a suitable connection option.

The upper part 3 and lower part 4 are connected to one another via a welded connection, in particular a plasma welded seam or laser welded seam, etc., or at least an adhesive layer or, if appropriate, a soldered connection. Likewise, the jacket tube 1 and the flat support plate of the storage location 7 and 8th connected to one another via a welded joint, in particular a plasma welded seam or laser welded seam, etc., or at least one adhesive layer or, if appropriate, a soldered joint. The connection between the parts 3 . 4 as well as the support plate and the casing tube 1 can be done with or without filler material. Otherwise, the deep-drawn storage locations 7 and 8th , which form a closed, seamless ring, via the connecting element such as a plasma weld or laser weld, etc., or at least an adhesive layer with the end faces 5 . 6 get connected.

By choosing a suitable height ratio of the parts 3 . 4 the stiffness can be positively influenced.

In 6 is a further variant of the casing tube 1 shown, the two-part, consisting of the one with the recess 2 equipped, upper part 3 and the opposite lower part 4 which are connected to one another via a connecting element such as a plasma weld seam or laser weld seam or at least one adhesive layer etc. The formation of the upper part 3 with the height 22 , which are preferably larger than the height 23 of the lower part 4 is carried out corresponds to that in the 2 shown execution. The upper part 3 is through the side legs 34 and the one below the recess 2 at the base 21 arranged reinforcement strip 20 with the tabs 58 for the damping elements 61 (in 6 not shown) formed. The one from the top 3 trained side legs 34 with the wall thickness 28 , point in the area of the imaginary division level 26 the outside dimension 33 on. The end parts 38 the side leg 34 trained end faces 24 run congruent to that perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 27 oriented, imaginary division level 26 and put the contact points to the lower, lower part 4 The lower part 4 with the height 23 and the wall thickness 29 , forms one with the outer dimension 44 in approximately U-shaped cross section, the side legs 43 towards the division level 26 on the outside dimension 62 taper what, for example, with the same wall thickness 28 and 29 for a smooth transition without a fillet 39 between the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 leads. That from the side legs 43 towards the division level 26 trained intermediate parts 63 run inclined to each other and close to one parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged end part 64 with its perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 27 positioned end faces 25 on.

Of course it is possible to use the upper part 3 and / or the lower part 4 with the same and / or different wall thickness 28 and 29 equip, resulting in a projection of the outside and / or inside in the area of the imaginary division level 26 can lead.

In the 7 is another variant of the casing tube 1 shown, the two-part, consisting of the with the recess 2 equipped, upper part 3 and the lower part opposite this 4 is executed. The parts 3 . 4 are connected to one another via a connecting element such as a plasma weld or laser weld or at least one adhesive layer etc. The upper part 3 with the height 22 has an approximately trapezoidal cross-section, one on the upper edge 31 the surface 17 trained width dimension 32 is smaller than a parallel to the width dimension 32 arranged width dimension 66 , The one between the top edge 31 of the upper part 3 and the imaginary division level 26 trained parts of side legs 67 are towards the height 22 arranged inclined to each other and expand with increasing distance from the base 21 according to the angle 35 except for parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged end parts 68 with the width dimension 66 , The end parts 68 of the upper part 3 trained end faces 24 form a parallel to the surface 17 running, imaginary division level 26 on which the perpendicular axis of symmetry 27 is arranged. The between a base 69 of the lower part 4 and the imaginary division level 26 trained parts of side legs 70 are towards the height 23 in the beginning 71 parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged running and close to a slightly tapered intermediate part 72 at which two parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 subordinate end parts 73 consequences.

The one from the top 3 and the lower part 4 trained wall thicknesses 28 and 29 result in the area of the imaginary division level 26 a protrusion on the outside and / or on the inside. The wall thickness 29 can be smaller and / or equal and / or larger than the wall thickness 28 of the upper part 3 be executed. Accordingly, a variation in the wall thickness also applies 29 , Like in the 7 is shown, results in a different wall thickness 28 or 29 a groove 39 or a joint that allows easier assembly work. By coordinating the wall thickness 28 the one with the recess 2 weakened, upper part 3 is the reinforcement bar 20 not necessary anymore.

In the 8th is a further variant of the casing tube 1 shown. The casing tube 1 consists of the parts connected to one another via a connecting element such as a plasma weld seam or laser weld seam or at least one adhesive layer etc. 3 . 4 and is designed such that the lower part 4 as a tube with a recess 81 and the upper part of it 3 U-shaped or trapezoidal and with two tabs 82 for attaching the damping elements 61 (in 8th not shown) is formed.

The upper part 3 with the height 22 and the recess 2 , has an approximately U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section, one on the upper edge 31 the surface 17 trained width dimension 32 is smaller than a parallel to the width dimension 32 arranged outer dimension 83 , The one between the top edge 31 and the end faces 24 trained parts of side legs 67 are towards the height 22 arranged inclined to each other and widen with increasing distance from the base 21 according to the angle 35 except for one parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged end part 68 with the outside dimension 83 , The tubular, as a seamlessly manufactured, in particular drawn or rolled, etc., tubular, lower part 4 with an inner diameter 84 and an outer diameter 85 , is parallel to the center line of the steering shaft 16 (please refer 3 ) running recess 81 fitted. The outer dimension preferably runs 83 tangential to the inner diameter 84 , The upper part 3 will with the lower part 4 on a groove 86 connected to one another via the connecting element, in particular welded, glued etc.

9 shows a variant in which the two opposite end faces 5 and 6 of the casing tube 1 the deep-drawn, seamless and tubular storage locations 7 and 8th are integrally formed and in one piece with the casing tube 1 be manufactured, for which purpose on the end faces 5 and 6 protruding tabs 80 by a forming process, in particular bending, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the casing tube 1 folded and then with the jacket tube 1 get connected.

In the 10 is a further variant of the casing tube 1 shown, the second egg lig is executed and from the recess 2 equipped, upper part 3 and the subordinate part 4 consists of the part 4 through a rectangular, ribbon-shaped item 87 is formed. The upper part 3 lies on this lower part 4 and is connected to it. The upper part 3 is through the side legs 78 and the one below the recess 2 at the base 21 arranged reinforcement strip 20 with the tabs 58 to accommodate the damping elements 61 (not shown) formed. The upper part 3 with the height 75 has an approximately U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section, which is on the upper edge 31 the surface 17 trained width dimension 32 is smaller than that parallel to the width dimension 32 arranged outer dimension 77 , The one between the top edge 31 and the item 87 trained parts of side legs 78 are towards the height 75 arranged inclined to each other and expand with increasing distance from the base 21 according to the angle 35 except for the one parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged intermediate parts 79 with the outside dimension 77 , on which a tapered end part 88 followed. The taper of the end part 88 creates a fillet 89 used for making the connection between the upper part 3 and the item 87 is advantageous because the assembly is much easier. The connecting element between the upper part 3 and the item 87 is formed by a plasma weld seam or laser weld seam or at least one adhesive layer etc. A wall thickness 90 of the item 87 is less than or equal to or greater than the wall thickness 74 the side leg 78 executed.

In the 11 to 13 is a further variant of the casing tube 1 shown, consisting of a molded body 91 and one at the base 21 attached, rectangular bar 92 , That between a parallel to a steering shaft center line 16 (please refer 3 ) arranged top 93 and the base 69 trained parts of side legs 94 towards the height 95 are arranged inclined to each other and expand with increasing distance from the top 93 according to the angle 35 and connects to one parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged intermediate part 96 at which a semicircular end part 97 with an inner diameter 98 and an outer diameter 99 is subordinate. At the top 93 of the casing tube 1 is a parallel to the steering shaft center line 16 running opening slot 100 with a constant width 101 and arranged a length. The parallel to the steering shaft center line 16 and directly below the opening slot 100 arranged bar 92 with a width 103 and one of the length of the opening slot 100 appropriate length 104 , is with the recess 50 with the width 51 and length 52 provided. The width 103 the bar 92 projects beyond that of the molded body 91 trained width 101 of the opening slot 100 , Because of the width 101 trained opening slot 100 good accessibility for assembly work is given. Which extends over the entire length of the casing tube 1 extending bar 92 has on the two opposite end faces 105 and 106 vertically arranged tabs 107 with a height 108 which are the contact points between the bearing receiving points 7 and 8th and the one with the bar 92 connected molded body 91 represents. The one at a distance 109 standing vertically and parallel to the opposite end tabs 107 arranged tabs 58 with the hole 59 serve to accommodate the damping elements 61 (not shown). The one with the width 101 objected and facing end faces 110 of the shaped body 91 are parallel to the axis of symmetry 27 arranged and form a groove 111 ,

The bar 92 can represent a rectangular, one-piece blank, in which the tabs 58 and 107 by means of a forming process, in particular bending etc.

Of course, it is also possible to attach the tabs 58 and 107 to a rectangular blank, for example by gluing, riveting, screwing, welding, in particular laser welding.

In the 14 is another variant of one of the upper or lower part 3 . 4 of the casing tube 1 trained warehouse manager 112 shown. On the two opposite end faces 5 and 6 is a storage facility 113 constituting warehouse 112 trained which storage facility 113 from an outer ring 114 , a cage 115 and those in the cage 115 existing rolling elements 116 and an inner ring 117 consists. The outer ring 114 is right on the face 5 and 6 attached, its outer dimensions 118 at least partially the upper part 3 and the lower part 4 towers above and that with a connecting element 119 , for example gluing, riveting, welding, especially laser welding, with the superimposed parts 3 . 4 is connected. As a result of this measure, considerable improvements in the observance of the tolerance limits can be recorded, since one part and thus several required work steps can be avoided, which also leads to a reduction in the manufacturing costs.

This part or outer ring 114 obtained by partial hardening in the rolling area of the rolling elements 117 its hardness and an associated increase in service life and a soft and low-carbon material zone outside the running area, which enables technically trouble-free welding, in particular laser welding.

Of course, it is also possible to manufacture the warehouse reception points 112 by a one-piece part, for example a deep-drawn part, which already has the outer ring 114 integrated and that in a subsequent forming process, for example bending etc. perpendicular to the steering shaft center line 16 is positioned. For this purpose, a material is used which has a toughness sufficient for the forming process, in particular deep drawing, drawing etc., and a low carbon content for the welding process and to which a hardening process, in particular case hardening, nitriding, etc., can be applied in a further operation ,

It is advantageous in this embodiment that the number of individual components reduces the work steps in the manufacture of the casing tube 1 reduced and the manufacturing costs are reduced ge.

In addition, it is in all of the design variants listed and as in 3 shown possible, the end face pointing in the direction of the driver's cab 5 with a sleeve made of plastic, metal etc. 120 to accommodate fittings, not shown, in particular indicators, windshield wiper fittings, etc.

As from the 3 visible, has the casing tube 1 several slots 121 and holes 122 , which allow exact stacking, positioning and centering in the welding device, bending device, etc., which enables economical and efficient series production with close tolerances. A seamless storage location pointing towards the driver's cabin 7 with the integrated bearing 9 has a snake spring adapted to the cage 123 , over which the tolerances of the production are compensated in the axial direction and at the same time the steering shaft 15 between the two warehouse locations 7 and 8th is slightly biased.

In each embodiment variant described, it is optionally possible to connect at least one of the seamless bearing receiving points 7 and or 8th with the casing tube 1 and / or the connection of the upper part 3 with the lower part 4 and / or the connection of the reinforcement strip 20 with at least one of these two parts 3 or 4 For example, by means of gluing and / or soldering and / or welding, in particular laser welding, etc., since laser welding or soldering only generates local, minimal heat input and results in no further tolerance deviations. Of course, all other connecting elements known or newly developed from the prior art can also be used to produce a connection. The welding and soldering can be carried out with or without an additional material.

method for manufacture and assembly:

A possibly rectangular and / or flat blank is formed in a bending process or folding process in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the blank as a polygonal profile, which forms the upper part 3 or the lower part 4 forms. By at the base 21 of the upper part 3 drilled holes 18 . 19 can use the reinforcement bar manufactured below as a cut and bent part 20 attached, for example, by a laser welded connection, are expediently welded through. For the exact positioning or centering during assembly and production work are on the upper part 3 and at the bottom 4 several holes 122 and slots 121 appropriate. The position of the upper and lower parts specified by the welding device 3 and 4 enables the exact stacking without significant deviations from tolerances, the one from the upper part 3 trained side legs 34 . 67 and from the lower part 4 trained side legs 43 . 70 each on the basis 21 respectively. 69 opposite sides one to the division level 26 plane-parallel face 24 . 25 form, which serve as a joint, especially for the laser welding process.

After the reinforcement bar 20 preferably at the base 21 below the recess 2 of the upper part 3 the upper part can be welded 3 with the lower part 4 be connected at the joint and results in the casing tube 1 , on the two opposite faces 5 . 6 two warehouse locations 7 . 8th are adapted, for example, in one piece with the upper part 3 be produced as a deep-drawn part and in a subsequent folding process perpendicular to one of the steering shaft 15 trained steering shaft centerline 16 aligned and with this part 3 is connected. The warehouse reception points 7 . 8th can of course also be positioned vertically as independent turned parts, drawn or rolled parts on the support plate, which in turn with the end face 5 . 6 connected is.

The next step in the assembly process is in a storage location closer to the steering wheel 7 that known from the prior art, with a coil spring 123 equipped warehouse 9 for example pressed in and then a steering shaft, which is also already known 15 inserted and then the second camp 10 to the warehouse reception point 8th pressed in so that the steering shaft 15 about the camp 9 . 10 in the casing tube 1 is stored. The contact pressure of a fastener not shown in the figures on the coil spring 123 , this is similar in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the casing tube 1 axially occurring play of the steering shaft 15 out.

As described in another embodiment variant, the storage location is 7 . 8th already with an outer ring 114 a preferably used Kugella gers manufactured as a deep-drawn part or as an independent unit, on the casing tube 1 is arranged. The pre-assembled, greased ball bearing is welded in as one of the last work steps, therefore with the steering shaft already installed 15 , which means that the construction remains stress-free and all tolerances can be compensated. The total tolerances and manufacturing inaccuracies of the components involved during production are then insignificant.

Above all, the individual in the 1 to 5 ; 6 ; 7 ; 8th ; 9 ; 10 ; 11 . 12 . 13 ; 14 shown versions form the subject of independent, inventive solutions.

1

casing pipe

2

recess

3

part

4

part

5

face

6

face

7

Bearing support site

8th

Bearing support site

9

camp

10

camp

11

Inner diameter

12

outer diameter

13

width

14

15

steering shaft

16

Steering shaft centerline

17

surface

18

drilling

19

drilling

20

reinforcing bar

21

Base

22

height

23

height

24

face

25

face

26

parting plane

27

axis of symmetry

28

Wall thickness

29

Wall thickness

30

31

top edge

32

width dimension

33

External dimensions

34

side leg

35

angle

36

intermediate part

37

External dimensions

38

end

39

fillet

40

41

42

43

side leg

44

External dimensions

45

length

46

width

47

Strength

48

width

49

length

50

recess

51

width

52

length

53

side surface

54

55

face

56

face

57

distance

58

flap

59

drilling

60

diameter

61

damping element

62

External dimensions

63

intermediate part

64

end

65

66

width dimension

67

side leg

68

end

69

Base

70

side leg

71

initial part

72

intermediate part

73

end

74

Wall thickness

75

height

76

77

External dimensions

78

side leg

79

intermediate part

80

flap

81

recess

82

flap

83

External dimensions

84

Inner diameter

85

outer diameter

86

fillet

87

detail

88

end

89

fillet

90

Wall thickness

91

moldings

92

strip

93

top

94

side leg

95

height

96

intermediate part

97

end

98

Inner diameter

99

outer diameter

100

opening slot

101

width

102

103

width

104

length

105

face

106

face

107

flap

108

height

109

distance

110

face

111

fillet

112

Bearing support site

113

Storage facility

114

outer ring

115

Cage

116

rolling elements

117

inner ring

118

external dimension

119

connecting element

120

shell

121

slot

122

drilling

123

snake spring

124

125

Claims (26)

Multi-part jacket tube for a steering shaft with at least a first, upper part and a second, lower part, which are connected to one another via a connecting element and one of the parts has an approximately U-shaped or trapezoidal cross section in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal extent, and on the two Opposing end faces of the first, upper and / or second, lower part facing away from one another are provided, which have a seamless, closed ring and are connected via a connecting element to the first, upper and / or second, lower part, characterized in that the connecting element between the first, upper and second, lower part ( 3 . 4 ) as well as between the respective storage location ( 7 . 8th ; 112 ) and the first, upper and / or second, lower part ( 3 . 4 ) is formed by a laser or plasma weld seam or adhesive layer. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing receiving points ( 7 . 8th ) each have a flat support plate and with the interposition of this support plate with the end faces ( 5 . 6 ) of the casing tube ( 1 ) connected, in particular welded or glued. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bearing receiving points ( 7 . 8th ) are each formed by a blank or stamped part on which the seamless ring is formed by deep drawing. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the second part ( 4 ) is flat and closes the first part. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the second part ( 4 ) has an approximately U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal extent. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 5, characterized in that the first and second U-shaped or trapezoidal part ( 3 . 4 ) two side legs protruding from a base ( 34 ; 67 . 43 ; 70 ) and the side legs ( 34 ; 67 . 43 ; 70 ) End faces ( 24 . 25 ) and that the end faces ( 24 . 25 ) on the second part ( 4 ) first part ( 3 ) lie against each other and are connected to each other via the connecting element such as laser or plasma weld seam or adhesive layer. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the first part ( 3 ) has an approximately U-shaped or trapezoidal cross-section in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal extent and the second part ( 4 ) is formed by a tube. Multi-part jacket pipe according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the laser or plasma weld seam between the first part ( 3 ) and second part ( 4 ) through a fillet weld ( 39 ) is formed. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the wall thickness ( 28 ) of the first part ( 3 ) or second part ( 4 ) is greater than a wall thickness ( 29 ) of the second part ( 4 ) or first part ( 3 ). Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that inner sides of the first part ( 3 ) and the second part ( 4 ) are aligned. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that outer sides of the first part ( 3 ) and the second part ( 4 ) are aligned with each other. Multi-part jacket pipe according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first part ( 3 ) and / or the second part ( 4 ) from a flat cut is / are made. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that an external dimension ( 33 ) of the first part ( 3 ) and an external dimension ( 44 ) of the second part ( 4 ) in the area of the facing end faces ( 24 . 25 ) are different. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that an external dimension ( 33 ) of the first part ( 3 ) and an external dimension ( 44 ) of the second part ( 4 ) in the area of the facing end faces ( 24 . 25 ) have the same dimensions. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that a difference between the outer dimensions ( 33 . 44 ) of the first part ( 3 ) and second part ( 4 ) is greater than half the wall thickness ( 28 . 29 ). Multi-part jacket pipe according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first part ( 3 ) and / or the second part ( 4 ) in the area of the side legs ( 34 ; 78 ) with in the direction of an axis of symmetry ( 27 ) offset strip-like or at an angle to the axis of symmetry ( 27 ) aligned end parts ( 38 ; 88 ) are provided. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 13, 14 or 16, characterized in that an outer dimension ( 33 ) of the first part ( 3 ) and / or second part ( 4 ) between the end parts ( 38 ) and the base ( 21 ) is larger. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 16, characterized in that the strip-shaped end parts ( 38 ) over at least obliquely and / or parallel to the axis of symmetry ( 27 ) running leg parts with intermediate parts ( 36 ) are connected. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, 5 or 7, characterized in that at least one of the parts ( 3 . 4 ) at its base ( 21 . 69 ) with a slot-shaped recess extending in the longitudinal direction ( 2 ) is provided for guiding an adjustment device. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 19, characterized in that at the base ( 21 . 69 ) of the part ( 3 . 4 ) a reinforcement bar ( 20 ) is arranged, which in turn also in the longitudinal direction of the part ( 3 . 4 ) running recess ( 50 ) and with the base ( 21 . 69 ) connected is. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 20, characterized in that the reinforcing strip ( 20 ) in the end area of their recess ( 50 ) about perpendicularly from this protruding tabs ( 58 ), on each of which a damping element ( 61 ) is arranged. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 20, characterized in that the reinforcing strip ( 20 ) via a weld seam with one of the parts ( 3 . 4 ) is connected, in particular welded from the outside. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 20, characterized in that the reinforcing strip ( 20 ) via a solder connection to one of the parts ( 3 . 4 ) connected is. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that each bearing receiving point ( 112 ) an outer ring ( 114 ) of a bearing, in particular a roller bearing, which, via the connecting element such as the laser or plasma weld seam or the adhesive layer with the end faces ( 5 . 6 ) of the first and / or second part ( 3 . 4 ) connected is. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the deep-drawn bearing receiving points ( 7 . 8th ) are formed by seamless, closed rings, which are connected to the end faces by the connecting element such as the laser or plasma weld seam or the adhesive layer ( 5 . 6 ) of the first and / or second part ( 3 . 4 ) are connected. Multi-part jacket pipe according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing receiving points ( 7 . 8th ) in one piece with the casing tube ( 1 ), especially with a part ( 3 . 4 ) are manufactured.