A steering shaft assembly (10) for a motor vehicle is described, comprising a first shaft (20) and a second shaft (22), both of which are rotatable about a central axis (24). The second shaft (22) is a hollow shaft and a portion of the first shaft (20) is received so as to be axially displaceable inside the second shaft (22). The first shaft (20) and the second shaft (22) are also coupled in a torque-transmitting manner via two rotary coupling mechanisms (26, 28) separate from each other.

A steering shaft assembly (10) for a motor vehicle is described, comprising a first shaft (20) and a second shaft (22), both of which are rotatable about a central axis (24). The second shaft (22) is a hollow shaft and a portion of the first shaft (20) is received so as to be axially displaceable inside the second shaft (22). The first shaft (20) and the second shaft (22) are also coupled in a torque-transmitting manner via two rotary coupling mechanisms (26, 28) separate from each other.

A force-transmitting assembly includes a metal shaft having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an outer surface, and a metal hub having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an inner surface that surrounds the outer surface of the shaft. A plurality of discrete parts is disposed in the at least two longitudinally-extending grooves of the shaft and the hub in an interference-fit manner so as to transmit a torque from the shaft to the hub. Each of the discrete parts is composed of at least 50 mass % of technical ceramic selected from Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, or a mixture of two or more of Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and ZrO.sub.2.

A force-transmitting assembly includes a metal shaft having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an outer surface, and a metal hub having at least two longitudinally-extending grooves defined in an inner surface that surrounds the outer surface of the shaft. A plurality of discrete parts is disposed in the at least two longitudinally-extending grooves of the shaft and the hub in an interference-fit manner so as to transmit a torque from the shaft to the hub. Each of the discrete parts is composed of at least 50 mass % of technical ceramic selected from Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, or a mixture of two or more of Si.sub.3N.sub.4, SiAlON, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and ZrO.sub.2.

A steering shaft may include a hollow shaft in which an inner shaft is arranged telescopically coaxially in an axial direction. A rolling body may be held in a form fit manner in a circumferential direction and configured to roll in the axial direction in a rolling body holding element of a rolling body cage disposed between the inner and hollow shafts, which is arranged in the axial direction between radially projecting stop elements of the hollow shaft and of the inner shaft. The rolling body cage may have end-face axial support surfaces that are oriented in the axial direction against the stop elements. The rolling body cage may have at least one transfer element extending axially between the end-face axial support surfaces.

A steering shaft may include a hollow shaft in which an inner shaft is arranged telescopically coaxially in an axial direction. A rolling body may be held in a form fit manner in a circumferential direction and configured to roll in the axial direction in a rolling body holding element of a rolling body cage disposed between the inner and hollow shafts, which is arranged in the axial direction between radially projecting stop elements of the hollow shaft and of the inner shaft. The rolling body cage may have end-face axial support surfaces that are oriented in the axial direction against the stop elements. The rolling body cage may have at least one transfer element extending axially between the end-face axial support surfaces.

A universal joint shaft with universal joint shaft protection comprises at least one shaft element for transmitting torque, at least one protective tube element arranged around the shaft element, and an intermediate bearing, by means of which the shaft element is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (L) in the protective tube element, wherein the intermediate bearing comprises an outer ring fixed to the protective tube element and an inner ring fixed to the shaft element, which are rotatable relative to each other, and a clamping mechanism by means of which the inner ring is fixed on the shaft element.

A universal joint shaft with universal joint shaft protection comprises at least one shaft element for transmitting torque, at least one protective tube element arranged around the shaft element, and an intermediate bearing, by means of which the shaft element is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (L) in the protective tube element, wherein the intermediate bearing comprises an outer ring fixed to the protective tube element and an inner ring fixed to the shaft element, which are rotatable relative to each other, and a clamping mechanism by means of which the inner ring is fixed on the shaft element.

An intermediate shaft assembly for a steering column is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a first shaft defining a cavity and a first bearing raceway, a second shaft arranged at least partially within the cavity of the first shaft, a sleeve arranged on an axial end of the second shaft and defining a second bearing raceway, and a bearing assembly including at least two rows of rolling elements and a cage. The rolling elements are supported between the first bearing raceway of the first shaft and the second bearing raceway of the sleeve. The sleeve can be heat treated, and formed from sheet metal. The sleeve can be secured to the axial end of the second shaft by a direct rotational connection such that the sleeve is rotationally fixed to the second shaft.

An intermediate shaft assembly for a steering column is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a first shaft defining a cavity and a first bearing raceway, a second shaft arranged at least partially within the cavity of the first shaft, a sleeve arranged on an axial end of the second shaft and defining a second bearing raceway, and a bearing assembly including at least two rows of rolling elements and a cage. The rolling elements are supported between the first bearing raceway of the first shaft and the second bearing raceway of the sleeve. The sleeve can be heat treated, and formed from sheet metal. The sleeve can be secured to the axial end of the second shaft by a direct rotational connection such that the sleeve is rotationally fixed to the second shaft.