Patent ID: 8161623

Claim:
A method for the manufacture of an articulated shaft structure ( 1 ) for transferring of torque from a transmission to a differential drive, comprising a connecting flange ( 2 ) including a tube section ( 3 ) for coupling the articulated shaft structure ( 1 ) to a transmission output flange ( 4 ) mounted on a transmission output shaft ( 7 ), a shaft joint 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 , 6 A, 6 B) being disposed in the connecting flange ( 2 ) and the tube section ( 3 ) and engaging the transmission output shaft ( 7 ) for aligning the articulated shaft ( 1 ) relative to the transmission output shaft ( 7 ), said method comprising the steps of: deep-drawing and punching in a follow-on tool the connecting flange ( 2 ) so as to form the tube section ( 3 ) and punching holes into the flange in a single 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 ) thereof for engagement with the transmission output shaft ( 7 ) to ensure alignment of the articulated shaft structure ( 1 ) with the transmission output shaft ( 7 ) upon assembly of the articulated shaft structure ( 1 ).