LONGITUDINAL DRIVE SHAFT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

摘要

Disclosed is a longitudinal drive shaft for motor vehicles to transmit torque. Said drive shaft comprises two or several shaft sections (1; 2) that are interconnected by means of an intermediate shaft (12) or a journal (16). In the direction of shaft section (2), the intermediate shaft (12) or the journal (16) acts as a support for a central bearing (6) while in the direction of shaft section (1), the intermediate shaft (12) or the journal (16) are connected by means of a joint that is fixedly arranged within the tube (3). The dimensions of the parts of the central bearing (6) and of shaft section (2) which are displaced in case of a crash are smaller than the internal diameter formed by the tube (3) of shaft section (1). The internal diameter of the external joint ring (9) is larger than the external diameters of the rolling bearing (7) of the central bearing (6) and the tube (4), the joint being designed as a homokinetic joint (5) encompassing an external joint ring (9), a ball hub (8), balls (13) that revolve within ball tracks leading from the external joint ring (9) and the ball hub (8), and a cage (10). The homokinetic joint (5) is sealed by means of a sealing cap (15) and sealing bellows in the direction of shaft section (2). A lid (11) which is designed as a guiding and securing element and extends to shaft section (1) and into the tube (3) is associated with the homokinetic joint (5).