초록 ▼

A flexible shaft is provided having at least one end portion connectable to a socket. The at least one end portion has a substantially uniform cross-section defining at least one generally flat side. The flat sides of adjacent cross-sections collectively define a non-planar surface which is twisted

A flexible shaft is provided having at least one end portion connectable to a socket. The at least one end portion has a substantially uniform cross-section defining at least one generally flat side. The flat sides of adjacent cross-sections collectively define a non-planar surface which is twisted about a reference axis for rotationally driving a cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flexible shaft having at least one end portion connectable to a socket, the at least one end portion has a substantially uniform cross-section defining a non-planar surface which is twisted about a reference axis for rotationally driving a cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket,

1. A flexible shaft having at least one end portion connectable to a socket, the at least one end portion has a substantially uniform cross-section defining a non-planar surface which is twisted about a reference axis for rotationally driving a cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket, the flexible shaft having a helically wound core that rotationally biases the at least one end portion in the corresponding socket so that the non-planar surface remains in contact with the cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket to reduce vibration and noise. 2. The flexible shaft of claim 1, wherein the at least one end portion has a polygonal cross-section. 3. The flexible shaft of claim 2, wherein the at least one end portion has a square cross-section. 4. The flexible shaft of claim 1, wherein the non-planar surface is twisted between 10 and 20 degree about the reference axis over an insertion length of the flexible shaft. 5. An assembly comprising: a flexible shaft having at least one end portion; and a socket for cooperating with the at least one end portion, the at least one end portion has a substantially uniform cross-section defining a non-planar surface which is twisted about a reference axis for rotationally driving a cooperating planar surface in the socket, the flexible shaft having a helically wound core that rotationally biases the at least one end portion in the corresponding socket so that the non-planar surface remains in contact with the cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket to reduce vibration and noise. 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one end portion has a polygonal cross-section. 7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one end portion has a square cross-section. 8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the non-planar surface is twisted between 10 and 20 degrees about the reference axis over an insertion length of the flexible shaft. 9. A power seat, comprising: a motor having a motor output for displacing a driven member; a gear mechanism having a gear mechanism input for transmitting a rotational torque from the motor to the driven member; a flexible drive shaft having at least one end portion for connecting to a socket associated with the at least one of the motor output and gear mechanism input, the at least one end portion has a substantially uniform cross-section defining a non-planar surface which is twisted about a reference axis for rotationally driving a cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket, the flexible shaft having a helically wound core that rotationally biases the at least one end portion in the corresponding socket so that the non-planar surface remains in contact with the cooperating planar surface in the corresponding socket to reduce vibration and noise. 10. The power seat of claim 9, wherein the at least one end portion has a polygonal cross-section. 11. The power seat of claim 10, wherein the at least one end portion has a square cross-section. 12. The power seat of claim 9, wherein the non-planar surface is twisted between 10 and 20 degree about the reference axis over an insertion length of the flexible shaft.