US 11,891,107 B2
Compact heat resistant flex coupling assembly with restrictive bending
Michael E. Partyka, Saginaw, MI (US); Sergio R. Molinar, Freeland, MI (US); William J. Knight, Bay City, MI (US); and Terry E. Burkhard, Bay City, MI (US)
Assigned to Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed by Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation, Saginaw, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 31, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/008,554.
Prior Publication US 2022/0063701 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. B62D 1/16 (2006.01); B62D 1/19 (2006.01); B62D 1/20 (2006.01); F16D 3/78 (2006.01); F16D 3/50 (2006.01); F16D 3/58 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 1/163 (2013.01) [B62D 1/19 (2013.01); B62D 1/20 (2013.01); F16D 3/50 (2013.01); F16D 3/58 (2013.01); F16D 3/78 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flex coupling assembly, comprising:
an inner housing having a generally cylindrical inner housing wall extending along an axis and bounding an inner housing cavity between an inner housing first end and an inner housing second end, said inner housing first end having an inner housing end face extending generally transversely to said axis and said inner housing second end being open;
a first shaft fixed to said inner housing end face and extending along said axis;
an outer housing having a generally cylindrical outer housing wall extending along said axis and bounding an outer housing cavity between an outer housing first end and an outer housing second end, said outer housing first end having an outer housing end face extending generally transversely to said axis and said outer housing second end being open;
a second shaft fixed to said outer housing end face and extending along said axis;
a resilient flex coupling fixed to said inner housing in said inner housing cavity; and
a retention member fixed to said outer housing by at least one retention fastener member and retaining said inner housing in said outer housing cavity,
wherein said inner housing and said outer housing are moveable relative to one another axially along said axis and rotatably about said axis via flexing of said resilient flex coupling.