Steering shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle, method for assembling such a steering shaft, steering system for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

#A steering shaft for a steering system of a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, and a method for assembling such a steering shaft.

#U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,194 discloses an arrangement of steering shafts, which are jointly rotatable to transmit steering torques in a vehicle steering column. Shafts which are connected to one another via a joint are provided for this purpose.

#Furthermore, WO 99/03716 A1 discloses a steering column arrangement for motor vehicles having an energy absorption element having a telescopically collapsible steering spindle mounted in jacketed pipe parts.

#Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter. In the figures:

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a steering shaft according to the invention for a motor vehicle in a normal operation and thus during operation of the motor vehicle; and

#FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the steering shaft in an accident state.

#The exemplary embodiment explained hereinafter relates to preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention to be considered independently of one another, which each also refine the invention independently of one another and are thus to be considered to be a component of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

#In the figures, identical reference signs each identify functionally identical elements.

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a steering shaft 10 for a steering system 12 of a motor vehicle, preferably designed as a passenger vehicle. The steering shaft 10 has a first steering shaft element 14 and a second steering shaft element 16, via which a steering wheel 18, which is schematically shown especially in FIG. 1, is mechanically connectable or connected to a steering gear 20 of the steering system 12. In the completely produced state of the motor vehicle, it comprises the steering system 12, which comprises, for example, the steering shaft 10, the steering wheel 18, and the steering gear 20. The motor vehicle additionally has a body designed, for example, as a self-supporting vehicle body and an interior delimited by the body, in which persons, for example, the driver of the motor vehicle, can stay. In addition, the motor vehicle comprises wheels (not shown in the figures) designed, for example, as front wheels, which are designed as steerable or steered wheels. The wheels can therefore be pivoted around respective pivot axes relative to the body and thus steered. By pivoting or steering the wheels relative to the body, for example, lane changes and/or direction changes and/or cornering of the motor vehicle can be effectuated. To pivot the wheels relative to the body, the driver exerts torques on the steering wheel 18. In this way, the steering wheel 18 is rotated around a steering wheel rotational axis 22 relative to the body. By rotating the steering wheel 18, the steering shaft 10 and thus the steering shaft elements 14 and 16 are rotated jointly or simultaneously relative to the body. In addition, the respective torque exerted on the steering wheel 18 is transmitted from the steering wheel 18 to the steering shaft 10 and from the steering shaft 10 to the steering gear 20 and finally from the steering gear 20 to the wheels. The wheels are steered in this way.