Abstract:
A securing element ( 1, 11, 12, 13, 14 ) made of sheet metal with an annular body ( 3, 12   a,    26 ) and with holding tongues ( 4, 41, 42, 43, 44 ) which emerge from the annular body ( 3, 12   a,    26 ) and end at a hole ( 6 ) in the securing element ( 1, 1, 12, 13, 14 ), which hole is centred with respect to the centre axis ( 5 ) of the securing element ( 1, 11, 12, 13, 14 ), wherein the hole ( 6 ) leads axially in the same direction as the centre axis ( 5 ) through the securing element ( 1, 11, 12, 13, 14 ) and, at radial narrowest hole cross sections of the hole ( 6 ), is bounded at least by end edges ( 7, 71, 72, 73, 74 ) formed on the end sides of the holding tongues ( 4, 41, 42, 43, 44 ).

Description:
[0001]    The invention concerns a securing element made of sheet metal and comprising an annular body and retaining tongues which start from the annular body and end at a hole in the securing element, which hole is centered relative to the central axis of the securing element and extends axially through the securing element in the same direction as the central axis while being defined at narrowest radial hole cross-sections of the hole at least through front edges configured on end sides of the retaining tongues. The invention further concerns a steering bearing comprising such a securing element and a steering bearing as also a steering bearing comprising at least one of the securing elements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Securing elements of the aforesaid type are supported through the retaining tongues by positive engagement and force-locking on the surface of a shaft. The securing elements also designated as indented rings in DE 33 05 419 A1 are resilient and hardened. The radial dimensions of the clear cross-section of a hole between the retaining tongues (teeth) situated opposite each other at the central axis of the indented ring are smaller than the outer radial dimensions of the shaft measured in the same direction on the seat of the indented ring. When the indented ring is pushed onto the shaft, the teeth deflect elastically and yield outwards so that the free cross-section of the hole is enlarged to the outer radial dimensions of the shaft and the shaft can be pushed into the hole. 
         [0003]    The front edges of the retaining tongues dig themselves slightly into the surface of the shaft at the desired position of the indented ring under the resilient pre-stress exerted by the retaining tongues. For this purpose, the shaft must have a soft surface. The front edges cut themselves into the material on the surface of the shaft. The seat of an indented ring is therefore formed as a rule by positive engagement and force-locking. When the indented ring is loaded in a direction opposite the original insertion direction of the shaft, the indented ring is supported through the retaining tongues on the shaft and digs itself into this. Such securing elements are therefore designated as self-locking securing elements. 
         [0004]    Advantageously, securing elements of this type can be fixed on shafts at any desired points irrespective of the tolerances. In addition, these securing elements can be manufactured economically as mass articles and are preferably used, for example, in the upper part of steering columns for assuring the shaft seating of steering bearings on the steering shaft. 
         [0005]    A steering column of the generic type is described in EP 2 249 050 A1. The steering bearings are angular contact ball bearings. The inner rings of two angular contact ball bearings positioned against each other and pre-stressed against each other are centered, each one, by a respective clamping ring on the shaft. A wavy spring or another spring is elastically biased in axial direction against each of the clamping rings. The spring, the clamping ring and thus also the respective inner ring is fixed in place through an indented ring. 
         [0006]    A steering bearing of the generic type for a rotatable mounting of a shaft configured as a steering spindle in a steering column tube is described in DE 10 2009 051 107 B3. The inner ring of the angular contact ball bearing is configured integrally with the generic securing element. Advantageously, one component less must be mounted during assembly of the steering column. The work and expenditure for the assembly, the feeding, the storage and transportation can be kept at a low level. In addition, manufacturing costs of such steering columns are also reduced. 
         [0007]    Steering columns are sub-assemblies of which high demands are made with respect to safety of operation and behavior during a crash. For example, a dagger-like penetration of the steering spindle into the driver&#39;s cab during a crash must be absolutely excluded. The requirements made of the axial retaining ability of the generic securing elements are therefore very high. 
         [0008]    Indented rings and inner rings of steering bearings with integrated securing elements are punched out of sheet metal and cold shaped. The front edges are the result of the initial punching of the mostly rotationally symmetric rings. Not least of all, the retaining ability of the securing elements depends on the configuration of the front edges. 
         [0009]    Edges are usually formed by two converging surfaces. One of these surfaces that end at the front edge is accordingly the front end surface of the retaining tongues that extends cross-wise to both the front surfaces of the retaining tongues and is directed towards the central axis. This front end surface is created during the manufacture of the securing element by punching and defines a part of the hole in the securing element in radial direction. The other surface is a planar section on a front side of the securing element of the respective retaining tongue and is directed in direction of the shaft during the mounting of the indented ring in feeding direction. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide securing elements as well as steering bearings preferably for use in steering columns, whose shaft seats are reliably retained and which can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a securing element made of sheet metal and comprising an annular body and retaining tongues which start from the annular body and end at a hole in the securing element, which hole is centered relative to the central axis of the securing element and extends axially through the securing element in the same direction as the central axis while being defined at radially narrowest hole cross-sections of the hole at least through front edges configured on end sides of the retaining tongues. 
         [0012]    Each retaining tongue comprises on an end side at least one depression in a surface of the retaining tongue, said depression being defined in at least one direction, at least at one point through at least one of the front edges. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the sheet metal of each retaining tongue at the depression is smaller than in the other sections of this retaining tongue. The sheet metal thickness of the retaining tongue becomes preferably continuously smaller in direction of its free end adjoining the hole, the front edge being formed on the end side at the thinnest point and the depression extending over the entire tangentially or peripherally directed width of the retaining tongue. Alternatively, an end section of the retaining tongue is reduced for instance through stamping in the sheet metal thickness, the front edge likewise extending over the entire tangentially or peripherally directed width of the retaining tongue. 
         [0014]    Alternatively, the depression interrupts the front edge in form of a stamping, so that, at this point, the sharp front edge is broken by the depressions and is not sharp. The front edge extends further on both sides of the depression. 
         [0015]    According to one proposition of the invention, the depression is shortened through depressions adjoining the front edge on one or preferably on both sides of the front edge, which front edge normally extends over the entire width of the retaining tongue. Besides this, the front edges on an indented element can be interrupted by a plurality of depressions. Further, the depressions can interrupt or end the front edges on a tooth at any desired point. Still further, the depressions can be spaced on the periphery at equal or different distances to one another. 
         [0016]    Such configurations can have a positive effect on a still further improved retaining ability because, then, on the whole, the front edge claws itself better into the surface of the shaft for an improved osculation due to the fact that, by reason of the interruptions through the depressions, the peripherally directed contour of the front edge is supported at more than only two points on the surface of the steering spindle. Moreover, tooth-like sharp corners are configured at the points defined by the depressions, through which corners the front edge can penetrate better into the surface of the shaft. 
         [0017]    According to one feature of the invention, the two surfaces that create the front corner are inclined at least with one acute angle to each other on at least one of the retaining tongues, preferably on all the retaining tongues of the securing element. The angle included between these surfaces and starting from the front edge is situated in a range of 15°&lt;α&lt;60°. The cutting edge is interrupted by at least one of the depressions. 
         [0018]    In deviation from the prior art, the securing element described in the invention comprises two surfaces, the end side surface and the front end surface, that, starting from the front edge, are inclined after the manner of a bezel at an acute angle to each other. For a large part of securing elements this alone assures an improved retaining ability on shafts because a sharp edge penetrates very effectively into the surface of the shaft. The shaft should preferably be made of unhardened steel and the securing element should be hardened as far as possible at least on the front edge configured as a bezel. With a view to the resistivity, the resilient behavior and for cost reasons, it is advantageous if the entire securing element or an inner ring configured integrally with the securing element is hardened. 
         [0019]    There are also securing elements in which the retaining tongues, at the stage in which the securing element is ready-manufactured but not yet mounted on a shaft, end with a radial plane, that is to say they are not stamped out axially in the initial state. The retaining tongues of such securing elements are pressed out of the radial plane and brought into an inclined position only when the shaft is inserted into the hole which is slightly too small for the outer diameter of the shaft. The retaining tongues must deflect resiliently in the same direction as the direction of insertion of the shaft till the hole has become large enough for the diameter of the shaft. The invention also applies to such securing elements. But preferably, the invention applies to those securing elements in which the retaining tongues are stamped out inclined at an acute angle to the radial plane already during manufacturing. It is not of importance whether the retaining tongues are inclined at an angle to the radial plane or extend in an arc-shape relative to the radial plane or are discontinuously inclined. 
         [0020]    According to one feature of the invention, the bezel-like configured front edge protrudes beyond the level of one of the surfaces or beyond the level of both surfaces that converge into each other on the front edge. Shortly before the front edge, the surface section ascends with a curved or linear shape out of the respective surface to extend beyond the level thereof up to the front edge. The advantage of this is that, in spite of the possible undesired edge interruptions on the soft part due to the edge protruding out of the surfaces, a comparatively sharp residual material can always remain in existence. 
         [0021]    The front or cutting edges of the retaining tongues extend in a straight line or, for instance, tangentially directed. Alternatively they extend in a curve on a circumferential line whose curvature corresponds to the curvature of the surface of the shaft on which the securing element is to be seated later. 
         [0022]    The retaining tongues of the securing elements are made preferably in one piece and out of one material with the annular body. In peripheral direction, for forming the retaining tongues, the annular body is incised for forming radial slits through which the retaining tongues are separated from peripherally adjacent retaining tongues while being resiliently movable relative to one another. The circumferentially closed annular body or the annular body comprising one slit retains the retaining tongues peripherally in place because these are configured in one piece the annular body. The slits can be so small that the retaining tongues are in contact with each other at the slits. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, in contrast, the central hole of the securing element is defined by an inner edge comprising recesses and adjoining the front edges. The retaining tongues are separated in peripheral direction from one another by the recesses that end on the annular body and are open towards the hole. The circumferentially closed annular body or, alternatively, the annular body comprising one slit, holds the retaining tongues together. Through the rounding of the recesses, notch stresses in the securing element and cracks resulting therefrom can be avoided. Besides this, through the choice of suitable dimensions for the recesses, the resilient behavior of the retaining tongues can be variably designed. 
         [0023]    The invention provides a steering bearing comprising a securing element according to the invention. The steering bearing comprises at least the inner ring and rolling elements, an outer raceway possibly on an outer ring or directly in a steering column tube, and a cage. The securing element is integrated into the steering bearing, optionally as a separate component in a self-retaining unit, that is formed for example out of an outer ring, balls, an inner ring, a spring ring and an indented ring. Alternatively the securing element is configured in one piece and in one material with the inner ring of the steering bearing. 
         [0024]    The invention further provides a steering column comprising at least one steering tube and a steering spindle rotatably mounted with help of steering bearings in the steering tube. In this steering column, the inner ring of the steering bearing is fixed with help of at least one securing element through positive engagement and by force-locking on the steering spindle, the securing element being configured as a separate component or integrated in the inner ring. The inner ring is supported axially on the steering spindle, in a rigid or an elastic manner, with or without interposition of at least one spring element, on the securing element that is fixed on the steering spindle. 
         [0025]    By the term “shafts” are to be understood all components and machine elements that are rotatable or rigid and are suitable and provided for receiving and fixing different components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention will be described more closely in the following with reference to the appended drawings in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a face view of a securing element  1  that is configured as an indented ring  2 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 1   a  shows the detail X out of  FIG. 1  in an enlarged, not-to-scale view. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional representation of the securing element  1  taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 1  and along the central axis  5 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a not-to-scale, enlarged illustration of the detail Z of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  shows a steering bearing IS that is made up of an inner ring  12 , an outer ring  13  and rolling elements  28  that are guided in a cage  14 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a securing element  1  in form of an indented ring whose retaining tongues  4   1  comprise, each one, two step-like depressions  31  in the surfaces  8   1  and  9   1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a securing element  12  in form of an indented ring whose retaining tongues  4 , comprise, each one, two depressions  32  in the surfaces  82  and  92  which are characterized by a surface  32   a.    
           [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a securing element  1   3  in form of an indented ring whose retaining tongues  4 , comprise, each one, a step-like depression  33  in the surface  9   3 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a securing element  1   4  in form of an indented ring in which, due to the respective depression  34 , the thickness D of the sheet metal of the retaining tongues  4   4 , is increasingly reduced towards the end  4   a  to the thickness D 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  shows a part of a steering column  20  in a longitudinal section along a central axis  5  of a steering spindle  17 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a part of a steering column  25  in a longitudinal section along its central axis  5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1 ,  1   a ,  2  and  3 : 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a face view of a securing element  1  that is configured as an indented ring  2 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 1   a  shows the detail X out of  FIG. 1  in an enlarged, not-to-scale view. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional representation of the securing element  1  taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 1  and along the central axis  5 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a not-to-scale, enlarged illustration of the detail Z of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0043]    The securing element  1  comprises an annular body  3  comprising retaining tongues  4  that end in the securing element  1  at a hole  6  that is centered relative to the central axis  5  of the securing element  1 . The hole  6  extends axially in the same direction as the central axis  5  through the securing element  1 . The radially narrowest points of the hole  6  are described through the inner radii R1 to R9 and are defined at end sides of the retaining tongues  4  by front edges  7 . Further, the hole  6  is defined by an inner edge comprising recesses  1   a  and adjoining the front edges  7 . The recesses  1   a  start from the annular body  3  and are open towards the hole  6 , so that the retaining tongues  4  are separated from one another in peripheral direction and are uniformly spaced from one another along the periphery at an angular pitch of Y. 
         [0044]    At each front edge  7 , at least two respective surfaces  8  and  9  that define a part of the surface of each retaining tongue  4  converge into each other. The surface  8  is configured on a front end side of each retaining tongue  4  and defined by the front edges  7  and  7   a . The other surface  9  covers the front side of the securing element  1  and is a planar section that continues in an inner cylindrical surface  10  of the annular body  3 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 1   a  shows how one of the surfaces  8 —the front end surface at the center of the retaining tongue  4 —can comprise for example a depression  29  worked radially into the end  4   a  of the retaining tongue  4 . The depression  29  is defined on the left and the right side laterally by the front edge  7  which is interrupted in this way by the depression  29 . 
         [0046]    The retaining tongues  4  are stamped axially out of the parallel radial planes E and E′ and are inclined relative to the respective radial planes E and E′ which are crossed perpendicularly by the central axis  5 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3 : The surfaces  8  and  9  start from the front edge  7  and are inclined at an acute angle α towards each other. As a result, the front edge  7  protrudes radially further out of the end  4   a  of the respective retaining tongue  4  in direction of the central axis  5  than the front edge  7   a  so that it is only the front edge  7  that comes into contact with the surface of the shaft when this is inserted into the hole  6 . Moreover, the front edge  7  protrudes in radial direction beyond the surface  8  (front end surface) because the surface  8  comprises in the direction of the front edge  7  a flat, planar section  8   a  that follows a course that ascends from the surface  8  in direction of the front edge  7  beyond the level of the surface  8  up to the front edge  7  so that the front edge  7  protrudes beyond the actual level of a front edge and of the front end side surface  8  into the hole  6 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 2 and 3 : The front edge  7  on each retaining tongue  4  is interrupted in the surface section  8   a  and in the surface  9  by a depression  11  that extends partially into both the surfaces  8  and  9 . The depression  11  comprises a surface  11   a  that extends from the surface  8  to the surface  9  and is defined on the left and the right side in tangential direction by the front edge  7 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4 :  FIG. 4  shows a steering bearing  15  that is made up of an inner ring  12 , an outer ring  13  and rolling elements  28  that are guided in a cage  14 . The securing element  1  is configured in one piece with the inner ring  12 . The annular body  12   a  of the securing element  1  is configured in one piece with a raceway section  12   b  of the inner ring  12 . The rolling elements  28  run on the raceway section  12   b . The raceway section  12   b  is followed by a shaft seat section  12   c  that is configured in one piece with the inner ring  12  and is adjoined by a lengthening section  12   d  of the inner ring  12 . Retaining lugs  12   e  are formed in radially outward direction on the lengthening section  12   d , through which retaining lugs  12   e  the individual parts, outer ring  13 , cage  14  with rolling elements  28  and the inner ring  12  with the securing element  1 , are retained in form of a self-retaining unit. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 : The securing element  1  comprises the annular body  12   a  but, for the rest, also corresponds to the structure shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ,  FIG. 3  showing in this case, the detail Y of  FIG. 4 . The annular body  12   a  is provided with retaining tongues  4  which end in the securing element  1  at a hole  6  that is centered relative to the central axis  5  of the securing element  1 . The hole  6  extends axially in the same direction as the central axis  5  through the securing element  1 . The course of the front edges  7  is described at radially narrowest points of the hole  6  by the inner radii R1 to R9. The hole  6  is further defined by an inner edge comprising recesses  1   a  and adjoining the front edges  7 . The recesses  1   a  start from the annular body  3  and are open towards the hole  6  so that the retaining tongues  4  are separated from one another in peripheral direction and are uniformly spaced from one another along the periphery at an angular pitch of T. 
         [0051]    At each front edge  7 , at least two respective surfaces  8  and  9  that define a part of the surface of each retaining tongue  4  converge into each other. The surface  8  is configured on a front side of each retaining tongue  4  and ends on the front edges  7  and  7   a . The other surface  9  covers the front side of the securing element  1  and is a planar section that continues in an inner cylindrical surface  10  of the annular body  3 . The retaining tongues  4  are stamped out of the parallel radial planes E and E′ and are inclined with respect to these radial planes E and E′. 
         [0052]    The surfaces  8  and  9  start from the front edge  7  and are inclined at an acute angel a towards each other. The front edge  7  protrudes in radial direction beyond the actual level of the surface  8  (front end surface). The planar section  8   a  follows a course that ascends from the surface  8  towards the front edge  7  beyond the level of the surface  8  up to the front edge  7  so that the front edge  7  protrudes beyond the front end side surface  8  into the hole  6 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 3 and 4 : The respective front edge  7  of each retaining tongue  4  is interrupted by a depression that extends partially into both the surfaces  8  and  9 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5 ,  6   7  and  8 : The  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  show examples of embodiment of securing elements  1   1 ,  1   2 ,  1   3  or  1   4  in which the designs of the retaining tongues  4   1 ,  4   2 ,  4   3  or  4   4  with respect to the depressions  31 ,  32 ,  33  or  34  differ from one another. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  shows a securing element  1  in form of an indented ring whose retaining tongues  4   1  comprise, each one, two step-like depressions  31  in the surfaces  8   1  and  9   1 . The depressions  31  adjoin the front edge  7   1  on the left and the right side of the front edge  7   1  and are defined at one point on one side by the front edge  7   1  and on the other side by the recesses  1   a.    
         [0056]      FIG. 6  shows a securing element  1  in form of an indented ring whose retaining tongues  4   2  comprise, each one, two depressions  32  in the surfaces  82  and  9 , which are characterized by a surface  32   a . The surface  32   a  extends between the surfaces  8  and  9 . On the left and the right side of the front edge  7   2 , the depressions  32  adjoin the front edge  7   2  and are defined at one point on one side by the front edge  7   2  and on the other side by the recesses  1   a.    
         [0057]      FIG. 7  shows a securing element  1   3  in form of an indented ring whose retaining tongues  43  comprise, each one, a step-like depression  33  in the surface  93 . The thickness D 1  of the sheet metal of each retaining tongues  4   3  at the depression  33  is smaller over the entire width of the retaining tongue  4   3  than the thickness D in the remaining sections of this retaining tongue  43 . The lower edge of the depression  33  is defined by the front edge  7   3 . Furthermore, it is imaginable for the front edge to be interrupted by depressions after the manner of the illustrations in  FIGS. 2 to 5 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  shows a securing element  1   4  in form of an indented ring in which, due to the respective depression  34 , the thickness D of the sheet metal of the retaining tongues  4   4 , is increasingly reduced towards the end  4   a  to the thickness D 1 . The lower edge of the depression  34  is defined by the front edge  7   4 . Furthermore, it is imaginable for the front edge to be interrupted by depressions after the manner of the illustrations in  FIGS. 2 to 5 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 9  shows a part of a steering column  20  in a longitudinal section along a central axis  5  of a steering spindle  17 . The steering column  20  comprises the steering bearing  15 , a steering tube  16  and the steering spindle  17 . The steering spindle  17  is mounted rotatably in the steering tube  16  with help of the steering bearing  15 . For this purpose, the outer ring  13  is fixedly seated in the steering tube  16  and the inner ring  12  is fixedly seated on the steering spindle  17 . The inner ring  12  is supported through the shaft seat section  12   c  on the shaft seat  18  of the steering spindle  17 , possibly with a press fit. The lengthening section  12   d  has no contact with the steering spindle  17 . Further, with help of the securing element  1 , the inner ring  12  is axially secured on the steering spindle  17  against axial thrust loads. For this purpose, the retaining tongues  4  are resiliently biased against the surface  19  of the steering spindle  17  and are clawed with the front edges  7  into the surface  19 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 10  shows a part of a steering column  25  in a longitudinal section along its central axis  5 . The steering column  25  comprises a steering bearing  21  in the steering tube  16 , a clamping ring  22 , a wavy spring  23  and a securing element  1  in form of an indented ring  24  as also the steering spindle  17 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  10 . Substantially, the indented ring  24  has the same structure as the indented ring  2  and is described through the description of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . In contrast to the indented ring  2 , the securing element  1  does not comprise the annular body  3  but the annular body  26  which, as shown in the figures, is directed towards the right and surrounds the retaining tongues  4  peripherally. As a result, the indented ring  24  comprises a flat front end surface  27  on which the wavy spring  23  is supported. The indented ring  24  is supported on the steering spindle  17  with help of the retaining tongues  4  against the force of the wavy spring  23 . With help of the wavy spring, the clamping ring  22  is pressed and clamped between the inner ring  28  of the steering bearing  21  and the steering spindle  17 . The inner ring  21  is supported in one direction through the clamping ring  22  on the steering spindle  17  and is otherwise without contact with the steering spindle  17  while being supported in the other direction on the outer ring  13  through the rolling elements  28  that are guided in the cage  14 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                  1 
                 Securing element 
                  9 
                 Surface 
               
               
                  1 1   
                 Securing element 
                  9 1   
                 Surface 
               
               
                  1 2   
                 Securing element 
                  9 2   
                 Surface 
               
               
                  1 3   
                 Securing element 
                  9 3   
                 Surface 
               
               
                  1 4   
                 Securing element 
                  9 4   
                 Surface 
               
               
                  1a 
                 Recess 
                 10 
                 Inner cylindrical surface 
               
               
                  2 
                 Indented ring 
                 11 
                 Depression 
               
               
                  4 
                 Retaining tongue 
                 12 
                 Inner ring 
               
               
                  4 1   
                 Retaining tongue 
                 12a 
                 Annular body 
               
               
                  4 2   
                 Retaining tongue 
                 12b 
                 Raceway section 
               
               
                  4 3   
                 Retaining tongue 
                 12c 
                 Shaft seat section 
               
               
                  4 4   
                 Retaining tongue 
                 12d 
                 Lengthening section 
               
               
                  4a 
                 End 
                 12e 
                 Retaining lugs 
               
               
                  5 
                 Central axis 
                 13 
                 Outer ring 
               
               
                  6 
                 Hole 
                 14 
                 Cage 
               
               
                  7 
                 Front edge 
                 15 
                 Steering bearing 
               
               
                  7 1   
                 Front edge 
                 16 
                 Steering tube/steering column tube 
               
               
                  7 2   
                 Front edge 
                 17 
                 Steering spindle 
               
               
                  7 3   
                 Front edge 
                 18 
                 Shaft seat 
               
               
                  7 4   
                 Front edge 
                 19 
                 Surface of steering spindle 
               
               
                  7a 
                 Front edge 
                 20 
                 Steering column 
               
               
                  8 
                 Surface 
                 21 
                 Steering bearing 
               
               
                  8 1   
                 Surface 
                 22 
                 Clamping ring 
               
               
                  8 2   
                 Surface 
                 23 
                 Wavy spring 
               
               
                  8 3   
                 Surface 
                 24 
                 Indented ring 
               
               
                  8 4   
                 Surface 
                 25 
                 Steering column 
               
               
                  8a 
                 Surface section 
                 26 
                 Annular body 
               
               
                 27 
                 Flat surface 
               
               
                 28 
                 Rolling element 
               
               
                 29 
                 Depression 
               
               
                 31 
                 Depression 
               
               
                 32 
                 Depression 
               
               
                 32a 
                 Surface 
               
               
                 33 
                 Depression 
               
               
                 34 
                 Depression