Elastically flexible but torsionally rigid drive shaft - is formed from helical coils with intermeshing teeth

摘要

The flexible shaft can be used for connecting the steering wheel of a motor vehicle to the steering mechanism. It is made from a rod of special cross-section wound to form helical coils. The cross-section consists of a basic rectangle with a rib projecting from the middle of each long side. - Teeth of trapezoidal cross-section are cut in the ribs so that when the rod is wound to form the helical coils the teeth of adjacent coils intermesh. This form of construction produces an elastically flexible shaft which is torsionally rigid.