A gear unit for a motor vehicle having a drive shaft extending axially and mounted rotatably, and a worm gear shaft which cooperates with a worm gear wheel. A torque-transmitting coupling connects the drive shaft to one end of the worm gear shaft with the other end supported by a bearing. A pretension element loads the bearing and correspondingly the worm gear shaft so the worm gear shaft is biased or pressed against the worm gear wheel. The torque-transmitting coupling provides a suitable connection between the drive shaft and worm gear shaft.

Various vehicle systems capable of different operation modes are disclosed. According to one example, the system can include at least one input shaft, at least one output shaft, a plurality of hydraulic devices, and one or more accessories. The plurality of hydraulic devices can be configured to be operable as vane pumps in a retracted vane mode of operation and can be configured to be operable as a hydraulic couplings to couple the at least one input shaft with the at least one output shaft in a vane extended mode of operation. The plurality of hydraulic devices can be simultaneously operable as the hydraulic couplings and the vane pumps. The one or more accessories can be in fluid communication with the plurality of hydraulic devices and can be configured to receive a hydraulic fluid pumped from one or more the plurality of hydraulic devices when operating as the vane pumps.

A torque transmission joint includes a first elastic body having a plurality of first elastic pieces pinched in a circumferential direction between respective first convex portions and a coupling, and a second elastic body having a plurality of second elastic pieces pinched in the circumferential direction between respective second convex portions and the coupling.

A torque transmission joint includes a first elastic body having a plurality of first elastic pieces pinched in a circumferential direction between respective first convex portions and a coupling, and a second elastic body having a plurality of second elastic pieces pinched in the circumferential direction between respective second convex portions and the coupling.

An assist mechanism includes: an electric motor in which a rotor has a magnet and a stator has a winding; a shaft-shaped member in which a worm engaged with a worm wheel is formed; and a coupling that couples an output shaft of the electric motor and the shaft-shaped member to each other. The smallest rotation order among rotation orders of the electric motor and a rotation order of the worm are prime to each other.

A compact power steering system is suitable for small vehicles. A torque sensor on a steering shaft detects operator intention to turn. In response, a motor provides torque to assistance in rotating the steering shaft. A strain wave gear set multiplies the motor torque. A coupler having a torsional isolator links the gearbox output to the steering shaft.

A flexible coupling includes a first flange having an outer edge, a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first plurality of passages. A second flange including an outer edge section, a first surface section, a second surface section opposite the first surface section, and a second plurality of passages. A connecting element extends between and connecting the first flange and the second flange through one of the first plurality of passages and one of the second plurality passages. The connecting element includes a connecting member having a first stop element and a second stop element. A compliant component is arranged on the connecting element. The compliant component is positioned on the connecting member between one of: the first stop element and the first surface; the second stop element and the second surface section; and between the second surface and the first surface section.

A flexible coupling includes a first flange having an outer edge, a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a first plurality of passages. A second flange including an outer edge section, a first surface section, a second surface section opposite the first surface section, and a second plurality of passages. A connecting element extends between and connecting the first flange and the second flange through one of the first plurality of passages and one of the second plurality passages. The connecting element includes a connecting member having a first stop element and a second stop element. A compliant component is arranged on the connecting element. The compliant component is positioned on the connecting member between one of: the first stop element and the first surface; the second stop element and the second surface section; and between the second surface and the first surface section.

A transmission device includes an external transmission device, an internal transmission device, and a spacer ring. The external transmission device is cylindrical and has an outer wall and an inner wall. The inner wall has a plurality of inwardly extending arc-shaped protrusions. The internal transmission device is disposed in the inner wall and has an outer circumferential surface including a plurality of outwardly extending arc-shaped protrusions. The spacer ring is located between and contacts the arc-shaped protrusions of the external transmission device and the arc-shaped protrusions of the internal transmission device. When torque between the external transmission device and the internal transmission device is greater than a predetermined torque, one or more of the arc-shaped protrusions of the external transmission device or the arc-shaped protrusions of the internal transmission device deform and the external transmission device rotationally slips relative to the internal transmission device.

A flexible coupling and an actuator for shaft-driven structures are provided. The flexible coupling includes a first half coupling, a second half coupling and a flexible member connected between the first half coupling and the second half coupling. One end face of the flexible member is provided with at least two connection portions extending along the axial direction. The first half coupling includes a support portion configured to support the radially inner surface of each connection portion and first transmission portions configured to fill circumferential gaps between the connection portions. The second half coupling includes second transmission portions equal in number to the connection portions. The second transmission portions cover radially outer side surfaces of the connection portions in a one-to-one manner. The flexible coupling can prevent the flexible member from being disengaged from between the two half couplings during operation. The actuator includes the preceding flexible coupling.