The present disclosure is directed to a flexible supporting structure that includes a linkage mechanism capable of being bent for adjustment. The linkage mechanism includes at least one row of a linkage plate assembly, and the linkage plate assembly includes at least two linkage toothed plates which are meshed and connected in sequence. At least one end portion of each of the at least two linkage toothed plates is provided with a meshing tooth portion such that a first meshing tooth portion of a first linkage toothed plate is meshed with a second meshing tooth portion of a second linkage toothed plate. The flexible supporting structure is applicable to various products and provides a function of adjusting an angle or a bending degree in a wide range by using linkage between the linkage toothed plates.

Articulable joints having diamond bearing surfaces engaged with metal bearing surfaces are provided herein. The articulable joints provide multiple degrees of freedom to components, such as drivelines, and bear loads in multiple directions. The articulable joints include diamond bearing surfaces slidingly engaged with opposing metal bearing surfaces that include more than trace amounts of diamond solvent-catalyst.

A joint assembly for use in transmitting torque comprises a ball and socket arrangement. The socket is comprised in a housing, and further comprises a key chamber with a substantially regular polygonal profile defining interior faces. The ball is provided on a ball stud component, and has a plurality of convexly curved facets. The ball is inserted in the socket with a plurality of keys, such that the keys are disposed between the ball facets and a corresponding interior face. Each key provides a bearing surface that mates with a corresponding facet, and a surface opposite the bearing surface to mate with the interior face. The sides of the key define a biconvex profile.

A joint assembly for use in transmitting torque comprises a ball and socket arrangement. The socket is comprised in a housing, and further comprises a key chamber with a substantially regular polygonal profile defining interior faces. The ball is provided on a ball stud component, and has a plurality of convexly curved facets. The ball is inserted in the socket with a plurality of keys, such that the keys are disposed between the ball facets and a corresponding interior face. Each key provides a bearing surface that mates with a corresponding facet, and a surface opposite the bearing surface to mate with the interior face. The sides of the key define a biconvex profile.

A steering column has a housing. A steering spindle jacket is disposed within the housing. An outer steering spindle is disposed within the steering spindle jacket and has a spline hub. An inner spindle is disposed within the outer steering spindle and includes a spline shaft configured to permit axial movement and prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle when the spline hub and the spline shaft are engaged. In a non-stowed state the spline shaft and the spline hub are engaged and in a stowed state the spline shaft and the spline hub are free of engagement. A pin is disposed in the housing engages the spline hub portion in the stowed state and prevents rotation of the outer steering spindle and is free of engagement in the non-stowed state.

A transmission for a vehicle includes a clutch unit connectable to an input shaft of the transmission and an electric motor connected to the clutch unit for transferring torque from the electric motor to the input shaft through the clutch unit. The transmission has a first gear component driven by the electric motor and a second gear component rotationally locked to the clutch unit by an engagement means. The first and second gear components are engaged with each other for transferring torque from the electric motor to the clutch unit. The transmission further has at least one bearing arranged for journaling the second gear component and carrying radial load caused by the electric motor when torque is transferred from the electric motor to the clutch unit. The engagement means is designed to allow a radial run out of the clutch unit relative to the second gear component.

A fluidic valve unit having a plurality of rotary slide valves arranged in series and a servo motor for setting the rotary slide valves, wherein each of the rotary slide valves comprises a rotary slide arranged in a rotary slide housing and drivable via a driveshaft by means of the servo motor. It is provided in this case that each two successive ones of the rotary slide valves are mechanically connected to one another via a driver device for the setting by means of the servo motor, wherein the driver device comprises a driver projection arranged on a first of the two rotary slide valves.

A fluidic valve unit having a plurality of rotary slide valves arranged in series and a servo motor for setting the rotary slide valves, wherein each of the rotary slide valves comprises a rotary slide arranged in a rotary slide housing and drivable via a driveshaft by means of the servo motor. It is provided in this case that each two successive ones of the rotary slide valves are mechanically connected to one another via a driver device for the setting by means of the servo motor, wherein the driver device comprises a driver projection arranged on a first of the two rotary slide valves.

A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

A universal joint (U-joint) assembly transmits torque from a drive component to a driven component across an articulating joint. The U-joint assembly includes male and female U-joint members, a central ball joint, and a retaining device configured to secure the assembly in an assembled configuration. The female U-joint member includes a cavity extending into a receptacle end thereof. The cavity terminates in a circular receptacle and includes a plurality of rectangular channels extending radially outward from the cavity at equal intervals, each channel defined by three planar drive surfaces. The male U-joint member has a drive end with a plurality of corresponding rectangular extensions protruding from an outer periphery of the drive end, each extension including a plurality of axial angular surfaces. When assembled, each of the angular surfaces of the drive end opposes a corresponding one of the drive surfaces of the cavity. Other embodiments are also disclosed.