Patent ID: 7582021
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: B60K,F16D,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A drive shaft assembly having a longitudinal shaft for use in an automobile having all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive comprising: (a) a gearbox-side articulation comprising a first homokinetic ball joint, said gearbox-side articulation having a first inner hub, a first outer hub at least partly surrounding the first inner hub and a first cage for guiding a first plurality of balls, the first inner hub and the first outer hub having respective first ball raceways wherein the first plurality of balls is guided in the respective first ball raceways for transmitting a first torque between the first inner hub and the first outer hub; (b) a differential-side articulation comprising a second homokinetic ball joint, said differential-side articulation having a second inner hub, a second outer hub at least partly surrounding the second inner hub and a second cage for guiding a second plurality of balls, the second inner hub and the second outer hub having respective second ball raceways wherein the second plurality of balls is guided in the respective second ball raceways for transmitting a second torque between the second inner hub and the second outer hub; (c) a central articulation having a third inner hub, a third outer hub at least partly surrounding the third inner hub at least in some regions and a third cage for guiding a third plurality of balls, the third inner hub and the third outer hub having respective third ball raceways wherein the third plurality of balls is guided in the respective third ball raceways for transmitting a third torque between the third inner hub and the third outer hub; and (d) first and second shaft segments connected with one another so as to rotate together by way of said central articulation; wherein a journal of a gearbox output shaft having a plug-in tooth system is directly connected to the first inner hub and a journal of a differential input shaft having a plug-in tooth system is directly connected to the second inner hub, and wherein each of said first and second inner hubs has a respective central bore provided with a plug-in connection to connect the longitudinal shaft for integral rotation and to center the longitudinal shaft on the journals of the gearbox output shaft and the differential input shaft, respectively.