Flexible half shaft for smoothing drive in vehicles - has flexible element of tubular shape which can accommodate misalignment

摘要

The flexible shaft includes two end caps, a tubularly shaped flexible tube disposed between and connected to the end caps, and a rigid cylindrical section capable of supporting a portion of the flexible element between the end caps. There is a gap between the end cap and rigid tube in which the flexible tube is unsupported. The end caps have annular portions gripping the ends of the flexible tube and rigid tubes inside and outside the flexible tube form the rigid portion.