The disclosed embodiments describe a method for producing a bent tubular shaft for a tubular shaft instrument as well as a tubular shaft produced in such manner as well as a tubular shaft instrument with such a bent tubular shaft. The tubular shaft is produced by providing a hollow shaft component and an actuating rod. The actuating rod in this case has at least one bending area in which flexible segments and support segments alternate. The at least one bending area of the actuating rod is provided with a friction-reducing layer before it is inserted into the shaft component in order to create a tubular shaft. The tubular shaft is then bent in an area that corresponds to the at least one bending area of the actuating rod.

The electrical drive of vehicles is not optimally achieved.

The invention relates to a wheel (10) having a drive unit for a vehicle, in particular for a motor scooter (1), a quad bike, or a passenger automobile, wherein the wheel (10) comprises the following: an inner ring (20) formed as a stator, which is connected to a wheel suspension (15) of the wheel (10); a rim ring (30) formed as a rotor having an axis of rotation (33), wherein the rim ring (30) revolves externally around the inner ring (20) and the axis of rotation (33) and the mounting axis (23) extend at least substantially parallel to one another,

wherein the wheel suspension (15) is arranged spaced apart acentrically from the axis of rotation (33).

A constant velocity joint includes: an outer joint member having a raceway groove; an inner joint member having a leg shaft; a roller that is able to roll on the raceway groove; and a needle bearing that supports an inner periphery of the roller such that the inner periphery of the roller is able to rotate with respect to the leg shaft. The leg shaft includes: a roll portion that supports the needle bearing; a contact portion that is able to contact an end face of the needle bearing, the end face facing a first side in the direction of a central axis of the needle bearing; and a recess portion formed between the roll portion and the contact portion, in a position where the recess portion is recessed from a space in which the needle bearing is disposed.

A constant velocity joint includes: an outer joint member having a raceway groove; an inner joint member having a leg shaft; a roller that is able to roll on the raceway groove; and a needle bearing that supports an inner periphery of the roller such that the inner periphery of the roller is able to rotate with respect to the leg shaft. The leg shaft includes: a roll portion that supports the needle bearing; a contact portion that is able to contact an end face of the needle bearing, the end face facing a first side in the direction of a central axis of the needle bearing; and a recess portion formed between the roll portion and the contact portion, in a position where the recess portion is recessed from a space in which the needle bearing is disposed.

A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

A variable-stiffness actuator is to be installed into a flexible member and provide different degrees of stiffness to the flexible member. The actuator includes two hard members located apart from each other, and a shape-memory member connecting the hard members. The shape-memory member has a property of transitioning in phase between a first phase and a second phase. The shape-memory member is in a low stiffness state when in the first phase, and is in a high stiffness state when in the second phase. The actuator also includes a inducing member configured to cause a portion of the shape-memory member between the hard members to transition in phase between the first and second phases, and a urging member configured to urge the hard members in directions away from each other.

Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.

A reducer of an electric power steering apparatus include: a worm shaft having a first worm shaft bearing and a second worm shaft bearing respectively on a first end connected to a motor and an opposite second end; a gear housing receiving the first worm shaft bearing, the second worm shaft bearing, and the worm shaft; a first support member disposed between the second worm shaft bearing and the gear housing and having outer supporting portions on the outer side thereof to support the inner side of the housing and inner supporting portions on the inner side thereof to support the second worm shaft bearing; and a second support member coupled to the gear housing and supporting the outer side of the second worm bearing shaft through the first support member.

A reducer of an electric power steering apparatus include: a worm shaft having a first worm shaft bearing and a second worm shaft bearing respectively on a first end connected to a motor and an opposite second end; a gear housing receiving the first worm shaft bearing, the second worm shaft bearing, and the worm shaft; a first support member disposed between the second worm shaft bearing and the gear housing and having outer supporting portions on the outer side thereof to support the inner side of the housing and inner supporting portions on the inner side thereof to support the second worm shaft bearing; and a second support member coupled to the gear housing and supporting the outer side of the second worm bearing shaft through the first support member.

The object of the invention is a device (1) for axially fixing one end (9) of a Bowden cable (3), in particular a motor vehicle lock, comprising a housing (2), a Bowden cable (3), wherein the housing (2) has a receptacle (11), in which the end (9) of the Bowden cable (3) can be fixed, wherein the housing (2) has a means for introducing (12) the Bowden cable (3) into the receptacle (11) so that an incorrect assembly of the Bowden cable (3) can be prevented.