Damper Unit for a Shaft

A damper unit comprising:

• two components connected to each other for co-rotation, the two components being axially displaceable at least to a limited extent relative to each other, and
• an axially elastic element disposed between the two components;
• wherein:
• the two components are connected by a thread connection such that application of an axial load to the components produces a rotational movement of the two components relative to each other and a consequent axial displacement of the two components toward each other whereby the elastic element is compressed;
• a first of the two components comprises a sleeve-shaped molded recess in which the axially elastic element is received and in which an axial projection on the second of the two components is engaged;
• the thread connection comprises a partial thread provided between the projection and the molded recess;
• and
• the partial thread is constructed as a ball-screw segment which comprises:
• longitudinal grooves having a circumferential component provided in the axial projection and in the sleeve-shaped molded recess, respectively, so as to form pairs of mutually opposing grooves distributed around the circumference of the projection and recess, and
• at least one ball mounted in each of the pairs of mutually opposing longitudinal grooves.