According to the present embodiments, a torque applied to a torsion bar is attenuated to thus relatively increase the rigidity of the torsion bar, thereby improving the response performance to a driver's steering wheel operation, increasing a responsive torque range, securing the durability of components such as the torsion bar, and simplifying adjustment of the moving distance of a rack bar compared to the number of revolutions of the steering wheel.

A flex coupling assembly for coupling a first shaft to a second shaft of a shaft assembly is provided. The flex coupling assembly decouples axial and torsional stiffness from bending stiffness of the shaft assembly, thereby dampening the transmission of noise and vibration between the first and second shafts. The flex coupling assembly includes an inner housing subassembly and an outer housing subassembly. The inner housing subassembly includes an inner housing and a resilient flex coupling disposed in an outer housing cavity of an outer housing of the outer housing subassembly. A retention member is fixed to an outer housing to retain the inner housing subassembly in the outer housing cavity. The inner and outer housing subassemblies can rotate and translate relative to a common axis, while the inner and the outer housings restrict bending between the inner and outer housing subassemblies, thereby restricting bending between the first and second shafts.

A flex coupling assembly for coupling a first shaft to a second shaft of a shaft assembly is provided. The flex coupling assembly includes a lower housing having a housing wall bounding a cavity between a first end having an end face and an open second end. A first shaft is fixed to the end face and extends along an axis. An upper flange, spaced from the lower housing, has a second shaft fixed thereto extending along the axis. A retention member, disposed in the cavity, is operably fixed to the upper flange. A resilient flex coupling, disposed between the end face and the flange, is operably fixed to the upper flange and the retention member and to the lower housing. The lower housing and the flange are moveable axially toward and away from one another and rotatably about the axis via flexing of the resilient flex coupling which dampens noise and vibrations between the first and second shafts.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

Provided is a driving support apparatus configured to calculate a torque control amount based on at least a first steering control amount for causing an own vehicle to travel along a target travel line set in a travel lane and a second steering control amount for assisting an operation on a steering wheel by a driver, and drive a motor provided in a steering mechanism based on the torque control amount, the driving support apparatus being further configured to, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, correct the torque control amount.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

A flex coupling assembly for coupling a first shaft to a second shaft of a shaft assembly. The flex coupling assembly decouples axial and torsional stiffness from bending stiffness of the shaft assembly, thereby dampening the transmission of noise and vibration between the first and second shafts. The flex coupling assembly includes an inner housing subassembly and an outer housing subassembly. The inner housing subassembly includes an inner housing and a resilient flex coupling disposed in an outer housing cavity of an outer housing of the outer housing subassembly. A retention member is fixed to an outer housing to retain the inner housing subassembly in the outer housing cavity. The inner and outer housing subassemblies can rotate and translate relative to a common axis, while the inner and the outer housings restrict bending between the inner and outer housing subassemblies, thereby restricting bending between the first and second shafts.

A power steering system includes a rack housing arranged to receive a longitudinally displaceable rack member. The system also includes an assist cover connected to the rack housing, the rack housing and the assist cover defining a cavity. The system further includes an assist assembly at least partially disposed within the cavity. The assist assembly includes a power pack connected to at least one of the rack housing and the assist cover, the power pack having a power pack shaft extending therefrom. The assist assembly also includes a drive pulley having a drive pulley shaft that extends between the rack housing and the assist cover, the drive pulley shaft and the power pack shaft separate shafts and operatively coupled to each other. The assist assembly further includes a driven pulley disposed about the rack member.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.