JOINT END, UNIVERSAL JOINT, STEERING SHAFT AND STEERING SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a ball joint comprising a ball joint with two arms opposite each other with respect to an axis, which project axially from a connecting section having an axially through-opening, and which has two circumferentially spaced clamping slots and a clamping means, wherein the clamping slots each extend in a slot direction and have an open slot width transversely thereto, and the clamping means is designed to exert a clamping force on the slots during clamping, directed towards a reduction of the slot width, wherein the clamping slots extend from a slot opening to a slot bottom, and a bridge is arranged meanderingly between the clamping slots, such that one end of the bridge is connected circumferentially to the bottom section of one of the clamping slots.and the other end of the bridge is connected to the bottom section of the other clamping slot in the opposite circumferential direction. A universal joint, a steering shaft, and a steering system for a motor vehicle, each comprising such a joint head, are also part of the invention.

[0002] In a motor vehicle steering system, the steering shaft transmits the steering torque applied to the steering wheel via the steering spindle and the steering shaft to the steering gear, usually via an intermediate shaft. To compensate for angular misalignment, at least one, and usually two, universal joints are integrated along the steering shaft, typically between the steering spindle and the intermediate shaft, and between the intermediate shaft and the steering gear.

[0003] In its basic design, every universal joint has two yokes, each attached to one end of a shaft. Each yoke has two arms extending axially in the direction of the shaft, opposite each other and perpendicular to the shaft axis. A universal joint has two pairs of radially projecting pivot pins, referred to simply as pins, arranged on pivot axes that intersect at right angles. The two pins of each pair are rotatably mounted in the arms of a yoke in pivot bearings about their pivot axis, which extends transversely through the arms to the shaft axis. The pivot bearings can be radial roller bearings, but are more commonly needle roller bearings.

[0004] A ball joint has a connecting section, also referred to as a fork base, to which the arms are preferably integrally formed on a molded part, for example, a steel forming part. The connecting section has an axial through-opening in which a mounting section at the end of the steering shaft is received and secured.

[0005] For clamping on the steering shaft, the connection section in the area of ​​the through-hole is slotted, as is known in the prior art, for example, from DE 2244412 B. Two clamping slots extending in one direction are spaced apart circumferentially within the circumference of the through-hole. A clamping device, such as a clamping bolt or screw, which acts circumferentially, transversely to the slot direction, on the opposing slot edges spaced apart by the slot width, can exert a clamping force that loads the slot edges against each other. Because the clamping force is directed towards reducing the slot width, the inner cross-section of the through-hole is narrowed and clamped to the steering shaft by friction.The frictional connection is effective at least axially, whereby a torque-locking connection can be created by a corresponding non-circular cross-section of the steering shaft and the through-hole.

[0006] In the aforementioned DE 2244412 B, the two clamping slots extend along the entire length of the through-opening in their axial slot direction. Due to the torques and transverse loads occurring during operation, axial shear forces can act in the area of ​​the clamping slots, exerting a shear load in the slot direction on the opposing slot edges of the clamping slots. This results in a relatively high shear and bending load on the clamping devices, which must be dimensioned accordingly to prevent twisting of the connection section and deformation of the hinge fork as far as possible.

[0007] A rod end of the type mentioned above is known from JP H10141 385 A. This requires complex manufacturing and assembly.

[0008] In view of the problems explained above, it is an object of the present invention to enable an improved, more torsionally rigid connection of the ball joint. Description of the invention

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the articulated fork with the features of claim 1, the universal joint according to claim 7, the steering shaft according to claim 8, and the steering system according to claim 9. Advantageous further developments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0010] In a rod end comprising a articulated fork with two arms opposite each other with respect to an axis, projecting axially from a connecting section having an axially through-opening, and comprising two circumferentially spaced clamping slots and a clamping means, wherein the clamping slots each extend in a slot direction and have an open slot width transversely thereto, and the clamping means being configured to exert a clamping force on the slots directed towards reducing the slot width when clamped, wherein the clamping slots extend from a slot opening to a slot bottom, and a bridge is arranged meanderingly between the clamping slots, such that one end of the bridge is connected to the bottom section of one clamping slot in the circumferential direction, and the other end of the bridge is connected to the bottom section of the other clamping slot in the opposite circumferential direction.According to the invention, the clamping device extends circumferentially over both clamping slots and the bridge.

[0011] The two clamping slots are designed as closed slots with a defined slot length measured from the slot opening to the slot bottom. In other words, the closed slots are dead-end shaped. The slot length is dimensioned such that a circumferentially closed area remains between the slot bottom and the outer boundary of the connection section facing away from the slot opening; this area is hereinafter referred to as the bottom area or bottom section. Consequently, unlike the prior art, there is no clamping slot extending the length of the through-hole that would weaken the axial shear stiffness. This results in higher shear and torsional stiffness.

[0012] The length of each clamping slot is less than the length of the through-opening. According to the invention, the two clamping slots are provided with oppositely oriented slot directions in the circumference of the connection section forming the wall of the through-opening, and are preferably arranged antiparallel. Viewed circumferentially, the two clamping slots overlap. This achieves sufficient compressive flexibility in the circumferential direction for clamping over the entire length of the through-opening, i.e., lower compressive stiffness in the direction of the clamping force exerted by the clamping device.

[0013] Preferably, the sum of the lengths of the clamping slots is greater than the simple length of the through-hole; particularly preferably, the sum of the lengths of the clamping slots is between 1.2 and 1.8 times the length of the through-hole.

[0014] The bridge according to the invention, which is also referred to as a connecting bridge, forms a circumferentially closed connection of the circumferential areas that define the clamping slots. This allows shear forces acting between the edges of the clamping slots during operation to be absorbed and axially supported by the bridge, thereby advantageously increasing the shear stiffness compared to the continuous clamping slots in the prior art.

[0015] The bridge can be designed as a relatively narrow connecting web, with a web width, the bridge width, measured circumferentially, which preferably corresponds approximately to the slot width of a clamping slot. The bridge is arranged in a meandering pattern between the clamping slots. This means that one end of the bridge is connected to the bottom section of one clamping slot circumferentially, and the other end of the bridge is connected to the bottom section of the other clamping slot in the opposite circumferential direction, and the bridge extends at least partially transversely to the circumferential direction between the two ends. Accordingly, the bridge runs essentially parallel to the slot direction between the clamping slots. Thus, one side of the bridge forms a boundary to one clamping slot, and the other side forms a boundary to the other clamping slot.

[0016] The meandering arrangement, as defined, can also be described as Z-shaped or double-stepped. The essential feature is the at least partial course in the slot direction between the clamping slots, and the circumferentially opposite, and transversely offset, connection sections of the bridge in the area of ​​the base sections of the two clamping slots located adjacent to the bridge. In other words, the bridge is angled relative to its course in the slot direction at its circumferential points in opposite directions, thus creating the meandering or Z-shaped arrangement.

[0017] The bridge can reliably absorb and support axial shear stresses acting between the bottom areas of the clamping slots. A relatively narrow cross-section, an elongated shape, and a bridge orientation perpendicular to the circumferential direction result in relatively low bending stiffness. This ensures that the axially compression-stiff connection provided by the bridge between the clamping slots is relatively flexible in the circumferential direction and, corresponding to the clamping force applied during tensioning, only counteracts it to a negligible degree.

[0018] According to the invention, the clamping device extends circumferentially over both clamping slots and the bridge. The clamping device presses the clamping slots together against the bridge positioned between them. The outer edges of the slots, viewed from the bridge in the circumferential direction, are subjected to the clamping force against the inner edges of the slots formed on the bridge. Because the two clamping slots are positioned side by side in series with respect to the clamping direction in which the clamping force is applied, the same clamping force acts on each of the clamping slots in the direction of a reduction in slot width, thus ensuring uniform clamping of both slots. This allows for an advantageously compact, reliable, and easy-to-assemble arrangement.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment may provide that the two clamping slots are axially oriented towards each other. This can be achieved by having the two clamping slots formed in the connection section from the two axial end faces, with the slot opening of one clamping slot being formed in one axial end face of the connection section, and correspondingly the slot opening of the other clamping slot in the other, axially opposite end face. The clamping slots extend axially, i.e., the slot direction, or at least a component of the slot direction, runs substantially parallel to the axis. The bridge extends axially between the clamping slots, with at least one axial component, i.e., transversely to the circumferential direction, and runs from the slot bottom of one clamping slot to the slot bottom of the other clamping slot.The clamping slots, viewed together, extend over the entire length of the through-opening, overlapping circumferentially in the central region. This allows the connecting web forming the bridge to be relatively long, and the arrangement can advantageously be designed with reduced compression in the circumferential direction. Whenever "compression-resistant" is mentioned in the description of the invention, this refers to the reduced stiffness and not the hardness of the material. Due to the axial orientation, the bridge can effectively withstand shear stresses, thereby achieving advantageously high shear stiffness. The slots can be advantageously integrated into the opposing axial end faces of the connection section with minimal effort.

[0020] It can be advantageous for the two clamping slots to be directed radially, i.e. orthogonally to the axial direction, towards each other.

[0021] In this arrangement, one clamping slot extends radially outwards from the through-hole and is therefore also referred to as the inner clamping slot, with the slot opening located in the inner wall of the through-hole. The other, outer clamping slot is positioned within the connection section with its slot direction oriented radially inwards, towards the axis, relative to the first clamping slot. The slot length of each of the two clamping slots is less than the local radial wall thickness of the through-hole and is dimensioned such that the two clamping slots overlap circumferentially. The bridge extends between the clamping slots in a radial direction, transverse to the circumferential direction, from the slot bottom of one clamping slot to the slot bottom of the other clamping slot.Because the width of the bridge in this design extends axially, and the connection in the area of ​​the bottom sections of the two clamping slots arranged adjacent to the bridge can be made over the entire length of the opening, a advantageously high shear stiffness can be achieved. A relatively thin design of the bridge, measured circumferentially, allows for low compressive stiffness.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, the respective bottom section of the clamping slots can be curved or rounded, preferably with a radius. This offers the advantage of reducing stress concentrations. Furthermore, it simplifies manufacturing, since, for example, a clamping slot produced by a machining tool will automatically have a rounded bottom section. This rounded bottom section results from the diameter of the machining tool, such as a milling cutter or a cutting disc.

[0023] It is also conceivable and possible that the two clamping slots are oriented obliquely towards each other, with a slot direction that is inclined relative to a purely radial or axial arrangement. Accordingly, the bridge can run obliquely relative to the radial and axial directions.

[0024] Preferably, the clamping slots run parallel in opposite directions. However, an opposite arrangement, deviating from a parallel arrangement, is also conceivable and possible, for example to optimize certain deformation properties.

[0025] The clamping device may be designed to include a screw bolt, a clamping bolt, or the like. A screw bolt can be inserted through a circumferential bore, extending across both clamping slots and the bridge, and continuously into the connection section, preferably into a thread cut therein. The clamping force, as is known per se, can be generated simply by tightening the bolt to a predetermined torque. This allows for the creation of an advantageously compact and reliable clamping connection.

[0026] Alternatively, the bolt can be screwed into a nut, thus eliminating the need for a pre-cut thread. A self-tapping bolt can also be used, which cuts its own thread into the material of the connecting section when tightened. This reduces manufacturing effort.

[0027] It is possible that the connection section in the area of ​​the clamping slots has an increased wall thickness. The wall thickness, measured in the radial direction, can be increased in the area of ​​the clamping slots and the bridge to form a type of clamping block encompassing the clamping slots and the bridge. An increased wall thickness can advantageously enhance the shear stiffness and increases the design freedom in the configuration of the clamping slots and the bridge.

[0028] The through-hole may be designed with a non-circular cross-section. This non-circular cross-section can, for example, be flattened, polygonal, or feature a toothed or other positive-locking profile, and corresponds to the cross-section of the steering shaft. This allows for a secure and reliable positive-locking torque transmission.

[0029] The joint fork, including the connecting section and arms, can preferably be designed as a single-piece component, ideally as a formed part made of a metallic material, particularly preferably steel, an aluminum alloy, or titanium. This ensures high load-bearing capacity and efficient manufacturing. The clamping slots and the bridge can be formed during chipless forming to achieve an optimized microstructure. Additionally or alternatively, machining can be performed to bring the clamping slots to their final dimensions or to integrate them into the connecting section.

[0030] Alternatively, the joint fork can be designed as a primary part, preferably as a casting. This offers the advantage of efficient manufacturing.

[0031] The invention further comprises a universal joint, including two joint heads with two arms opposite each other with respect to an axis and projecting axially from a connecting section, and a joint cross with two pairs of pins arranged at right angles to each other and rotatably mounted in the arms, wherein, according to the invention, at least one of the joint heads is configured according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments or combinations thereof. It is advantageous for a secure and robust connection that the connecting sections of both joint heads are configured according to the invention. This results in the advantages that less twisting of the universal joint is permitted than in the prior art, and a preferentially higher stiffness of the joint can be achieved, thereby enabling improved torque transmission and also a material-saving, lighter construction.

[0032] The invention comprises a steering shaft for a motor vehicle steering system, comprising a shaft section that is rotationally fixed in a through-opening in a connection section of at least one ball joint, wherein, according to the invention, at least one of the ball joints, preferably both ball joints, are configured according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments or combinations thereof. The connection section according to the invention enables optimized tensioning, which advantageously allows for less twisting even under high loads during operation.

[0033] The advantages of the invention described above can preferably be realized in a steering system for a motor vehicle which has at least one steering shaft designed according to the invention and / or a universal joint according to the invention as described above. Description of the drawings

[0034] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Specifically, they show: Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle steering system in a schematic perspective view, Figure 2 shows a steering shaft of the steering system according to Figure 1 In a schematic perspective view, Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the steering shaft according to Figure 2 in the area of ​​a ball joint, Figure 4 a schematically separated partial view of the steering shaft according to Figure 3 with a ball joint in a first embodiment, Figure 5 a ball joint according to the invention in the first embodiment in a side view, Figure 6 a longitudinal section through the ball joint according to Figure 5 Figure 7 shows a joint head according to the invention in a second embodiment in a schematic perspective view (similar to Figure 4 ), Figure 8 an axial view of the joint head according to Figure 7 . Embodiments of the invention

[0035] In the various figures, identical parts are always marked with the same reference symbols and are therefore usually only named or mentioned once.

[0036] In Figure 1 Figure 100 schematically depicts a motor vehicle steering system designed as an electromechanical power steering system, wherein a manual steering torque (steering torque) can be applied as a steering command to a steering shaft 1 via a steering wheel 102. The steering torque is transmitted via the intermediate shaft 2 to a steering pinion 104, which meshes with a rack 106. The rack 106 then transmits the specified steering angle to the steerable wheels 110 of the motor vehicle via a displacement of the tie rods 108.

[0037] An electric power assist can be provided in the form of an power assist 112 coupled to the steering shaft 1, a power assist 114 coupled to the steering pinion 104, and / or a power assist 116 coupled to the rack 106. The respective power assist 112, 114, or 116 couples an auxiliary torque into the steering shaft 1 and / or the steering pinion 104 and / or an auxiliary force into the rack 106, thereby assisting the driver with steering. The three different, in the Figure 1 The auxiliary support units 112, 114 and 116 shown illustrate possible positions for their arrangement.

[0038] Typically, only one of the positions shown is equipped with a power assist device 112, 114, or 116. The auxiliary torque or force to be applied to assist the driver by means of the respective power assist device 112, 114, or 116 is determined taking into account a steering torque applied by the driver, as measured by a torque sensor 118. Alternatively, or in combination with the application of the auxiliary torque, the power assist device 112, 114, or 116 can introduce an additional steering angle into the steering system, which is added to the steering angle applied by the driver via the steering wheel 102.

[0039] The steering shaft 1 has an input shaft 10 connected to the steering wheel 102 on the input side and an output shaft 12 connected to the rack 106 via the steering pinion 104 on the output side. The input shaft 10 and the output shaft 12 are torsionally flexible via a joint in the Figure 1The torsion bar is coupled to the input shaft 10, which is not visible to the driver. Thus, a torque applied to the input shaft 10 by the driver via the steering wheel 102 always results in a relative rotation of the input shaft 10 with respect to the output shaft 12 if the output shaft 12 does not rotate exactly synchronously with the input shaft 10. This relative rotation between the input shaft 10 and output shaft 12 can be measured by a rotation angle sensor, and a corresponding input torque relative to the output shaft 12 can be determined based on the known torsional stiffness of the torsion bar. In this way, the torque sensor 118 is formed by determining the relative rotation between the input shaft 10 and output shaft 12. Such a torque sensor 118 is known in principle and can be implemented, for example, as an electromagnetic sensor arrangement or by another method of measuring the relative rotation.

[0040] Accordingly, a steering torque applied by the driver via the steering wheel 102 to the steering shaft 1 or the input shaft 10 will only result in the input of an auxiliary torque by one of the power assist devices 112, 114, 116 if the output shaft 12 is rotated relative to the input shaft 10 against the rotational resistance of the torsion bar.

[0041] The torque sensor 118 can alternatively be arranged at position 118', in which case the opening of the steering shaft 1 in input shaft 10 and output shaft 12 and the torsionally elastic coupling via the torsion bar are located at a different position in order to be able to determine a relative rotation and thus an input torque and / or an auxiliary torque to be applied from the relative rotation of the output shaft 12 coupled to the input shaft 10 via the torsion bar.

[0042] The steering shaft 1 according to Figure 1The intermediate shaft 2 comprises the intermediate shaft, which is articulated to the output shaft 112 and the steering pinion 104 via universal joints 3 designed according to the invention, also referred to as joints 3, so that the course of the steering shaft 1 in the motor vehicle can be adapted to the spatial conditions.

[0043] Figure 2 A separate illustration shows the intermediate shaft 2, which is designed as a length-adjustable steering shaft and extends along an axis L, the longitudinal axis.

[0044] The intermediate shaft 2 has an inner shaft 21 and an outer shaft 22. The outer shaft 22 is tubular and has internal teeth 23. The inner shaft 21 has corresponding external teeth 24, which extend telescopically into the internal teeth 23 to form a positive-locking rotary connection and is therefore adjustable in length along the axis L, as indicated by the double arrow.

[0045] In their longitudinally diverging end regions, the inner shaft 21 and the outer shaft 22 have fastening sections 25 on which one of the universal joints 3 is fixed.

[0046] A universal joint 3 comprises two joint heads 4 which are connected to each other in a manner known per se via a joint cross 31 about two crossed joint axes.

[0047] A ball joint 4 according to the invention is attached to each of the fastening sections 25, which in a first embodiment is located in the Figures 3 to 6 , and in a second version in the Figures 7 and 8 shown, where the same reference symbols are used for parts that have the same effect.

[0048] The rod end 4 has a connecting section 41, also referred to as the fork base, which has an axially through-opening 42. Two arms 43 project axially from the connecting section 41, opposite each other with respect to the axis L, each having a bearing bore 431 perpendicular to the axis L for supporting a pair of pins of the rod end 31.

[0049] In the cross-section of Figure 3 It can be seen that the through-opening 42 and the fastening section 25 have corresponding non-circular, namely triangular, cross-sections, so that a positive-locking connection is formed with respect to rotation about the axis L.

[0050] In the first embodiment, two clamping slots 5 and 6 are provided in the wall of the through-opening 42, extending from the two end faces of the connecting section 41. The slot directions are parallel to the axis L, running from an end-face slot opening 51, 61 to a slot bottom 52, 62. Accordingly, the slot directions are axially opposite in this first embodiment. Or, in other words, the two clamping slots 5 and 6 are arranged antiparallel.

[0051] The length of these closed clamping slots 5 and 6, measured from the slot opening 51, 61 to the slot bottom 52, 62, is less than the axial length of the through-bore 42, wherein the clamping slots 5 and 6 are such that they overlap in a circumferential direction U perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. A closed bottom section 53, 63 is located axially between the slot bottoms 52, 62 and the end face.

[0052] Parallel between the clamping slots 5 and 8, a bridge 7 is formed. This bridge extends axially and is angled circumferentially at one end and firmly connected to the bottom section 53 at the slot bottom 52 of one slot 5, and at its other end angled in the opposite circumferential direction and firmly connected to the bottom section 63 at the slot bottom 62 of the other slot 6. In the area between the ends, the bridge runs straight in the longitudinal direction, i.e., transversely to the circumferential direction U. Due to this doubly angled shape, the bridge is by definition meandering. The bridge could also be described as Z-shaped, as shown in the side views transverse to the axis L in the Figures 5 and 6 is recognizable.

[0053] Bridge 7 has the inner slot edges of clamping slots 5 and 6 adjacent in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the outer slot edges, viewed from bridge 7, face outwards.

[0054] A clamping device in the form of a screw bolt 8 penetrates the connection section 41 in the circumferential direction U in the area of ​​the clamping slots 5 and 6, as shown in Figures 3 and 6 This is evident. By screwing into an internal thread 81, the outer slot edges of the clamping slots 5 and 6 are subjected to a clamping force by the screw bolt 8, resulting in a reduction of the slot width, so that the through opening 42 is clamped on the fastening section 25.

[0055] The relatively large axial length of the bridge 7, which meanders across the clamping slots 5 and 6, compared to the slot width, creates a circumferentially flexible arrangement that offers only a small restoring force against the clamping force applied during clamping. The bridge 7, firmly fixed to the bottom sections 53 and 63, axially supports the clamping slots 5 and 6 against each other. This allows the bridge 7 to absorb and support axial shear stresses, effectively increasing the shear stiffness of the rod end 4 compared to axially continuous clamping slots in the prior art, and thus reducing potentially damaging twisting.

[0056] The width of bridge 7 (bridge width) corresponds approximately to the slot width of clamping slots 5 and 6, measured in the circumferential direction.

[0057] The operating principle is the one in the Figures 7 and 8The second embodiment of a rod end 4 according to the invention is essentially the same. One difference is that the two clamping slots 5 and 6 are not axially but radially arranged. The first clamping slot 5 extends radially outwards from a slot opening 51 arranged in the through-opening 42, and the second clamping slot 6 extends antiparallel to it from the outside radially inwards. Figure 8 The meandering bridge 7, arranged between the clamping slots 5 and 6, is again recognizable.

[0058] The width of bridge 7 (bridge width) corresponds approximately to the slot width of clamping slots 5 and 6, measured in the circumferential direction.

[0059] The tensioning is carried out as described above. Figures 3 to 6 described by screwing in the clamping screw 8.

[0060] In all illustrated embodiments, the wall thickness of the through-opening 42 is greater in the circumferential area of ​​the clamping slots 5 and 6 and the bridge than in the rest of the circumference. This further increases the shear and torsional stiffness.

[0061] In all embodiments shown, the rod end 4 can preferably be formed in one piece, for example as a molded or pressed part, preferably made of steel. Reference symbol list

[0062] 1 Steering shaft 10 Input shaft 12 Output shaft 100 Steering system 102 Steering wheel 103 Steering gear 104 Steering pinion 106 Rack 108 Tie rod 110 Wheel 112 Power assist 114 Power assist 116 Power assist 118 Torque sensor 2 Intermediate shaft 21 Inner shaft 22 Outer shaft 23 Internal spline 24 External spline 25 Mounting section 3 Universal joint (joint) 31 Universal joint 4 Joint head 41 Connecting section (fork base) 42 Through opening 43 Arm 431 Bearing bore 5, 6 Clamping slot 51, 62 Slotted bottom 52, 62 Slotted bottom 53, 63 Bottom section 7 Bridge 8 Tensioning screw 81 Internal thread L-axis (longitudinal axis) U-circumferential direction

Claims

1. A joint head (4) comprising a joint fork with two arms (43) which are opposite one another with respect to an axis (L) and which project axially from a connecting portion (41) which has an axially continuous through-opening (42) and which has two clamping slots (5, 6) spaced apart in the circumferential direction and a clamping means (8), wherein the clamping slots (5, 6) each extend in a slot direction and have an open slot width transversely thereto, and the clamping means (8) is designed to exert a clamping force on the slots (5, 6) directed towards a reduction in the slot width during clamping, wherein the clamping slots (5, 6) extend from a slot opening (51, 61) to a slot bottom (52, 62), and a bridge (7) is arranged in a meandering manner between the clamping slots (5, 6), so that the one end of the bridge (7) is connected to the bottom section (53) of one clamping slot (5) in the circumferential direction, and the other end of the bridge (7) is connected to the bottom section (63) of the other clamping slot (6) in the opposite circumferential direction , characterized in in that the clamping means (8) extends in the circumferential direction over both clamping slots (5, 6) and the bridge (7) .

2. Joint head according to claim 1, characterized in that the two clamping slots (5, 6) are directed axially towards each other.

3. Joint head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two clamping slots (5, 6) are directed radially towards each other.

4. Joint head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping means (8) has a screw bolt (8).

5. Joint head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting section (41) has an enlarged wall thickness in the region of the clamping slots (5, 6).

6. Joint head according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-opening (42) has a non-circular opening cross-section.

7. Universal joint, comprising two joint heads (4) with two arms (43) which are opposite one another with respect to an axis (L) and which project axially from a connecting section (41), a joint cross (31) with two pairs of pins which are arranged at right angles to one another and which are rotatably mounted in the arms (43), characterized in in that at least one of the rod ends (4) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Steering shaft (1) for a motor vehicle steering system (100), comprising a shaft section (2) which is fixed in a through opening (42) in a connecting section (41) of at least one rod end (4) in a rotationally fixed manner, characterized in in that the rod end (4) is designed according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6.

9. Steering system (100) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one universal joint (3) according to claim 7 and / or a steering shaft (1) according to claim 8.