Abstract:
An elastic joint body for a shaft arrangement for connecting two shaft portions in an articulated manner includes a plurality of bushings, a primary loop bundle, a support device, and an elastomeric casing. The primary loop bundle loops a bushing pair consisting of two adjacent bushings. The bushing pair being loadable in tension in the event of a torque transfer via the shaft portions. The support device is arranged on at least one bushing for axially guiding the primary loop bundle. The loop bundle, the support devices, and the bushings are at least partly embedded into the elastomeric casing. The adjacent bushings of at least some of the bushing pairs are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner via at least one additional loop bundle, the at least one additional bundle being arranged in the elastomeric casing in a region in which none of the primary loop bundles extend.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an elastic joint body for a shaft arrangement for connecting two shaft portions in articulated manner, having a plurality of bushings, at least one primary loop bundle, each of which loops around a bushing pair which comprises two adjacent bushings and can be subjected to a tensile force in the event of a torque transmission via the shaft portions, a support device arranged on at least one bushing for axially guiding the primary loop bundle and a rubber-elastic casing in which the loop bundle, the support devices and the bushings are at least partially embedded. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     An elastic joint body of this type is already known from the prior art. A joint disc is also referred to in this context, as is used for instance in a drive train of a motor vehicle or—on a smaller scale—in a steering column of a motor vehicle to connect two shaft portions in torque-transmitting manner. Joint discs of this type are advantageous in that, with good torque transmission properties and a long service life, they can effectively link cardanic movements of the two shaft portions to one another, and, to a certain extent, also to an axial displacement, whilst damping torsional vibrations. The advantages in terms of their service life and their torque transmission properties have also meanwhile resulted in such joint discs being increasingly used in industrial applications, for example for transmitting torques in large diesel engines. 
     Although previous joint discs have already been extensively optimised in terms of their service life and the maximum torque which can be transmitted in a continuous operation, there is essentially a need to further extend the service life and increase the amount of the maximum transmittable torque. 
     It is known from the prior art, DE 10 2008 047 596 A1, to guide loop bundles specifically around the bushings by means of support devices and to guide the portions extending away from the bushings such that setting actions which result over the course of the useful life of such a joint disc can be better monitored, thereby increasing the service life. 
     It is furthermore known from document DE 10 2008 047 596 A1 to provide auxiliary elements in the region between two bushings in order to also enable the loop bundles to be guided in this region. It is additionally or alternatively possible to also provide these auxiliary elements as stops which specify the maximum deformation in a portion of the joint body which is subjected to shear force. 
     The above measures are aimed in particular at extending the service life of the joint disc. However, they have not involved considerably increasing the maximum torque which can be transmitted in a continuous operation. 
     The present invention is aimed at developing a joint disc of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it is suitable for transmitting substantially higher torques. 
     SUMMARY 
     This object is achieved by an elastic joint body of the type described at the outset, in which provision is furthermore made for the adjacent bushings of at least some of the bushing pairs to be connected to one another in force-transmitting manner by way of at least one auxiliary loop bundle, wherein the at least one auxiliary loop bundle is arranged in the rubber-elastic casing in a region in which none of the primary loop bundles extends. 
     The elastic joint body can be constructed according to the invention as a joint disc, wherein the plurality of bushings is arranged in the circumferential direction at predetermined angular spacings with respect to a centre axis of the joint body and wherein a plurality of primary loop bundles is arranged so that at least two primary loop bundles, which are embedded at least partially in the rubber-elastic casing, loop in each case around each bushing. 
     The elastic joint body can be alternatively constructed as a connecting link, for example for a link coupling, wherein two bushings are provided, around which a primary loop bundle loops and which are additionally connected in force-transmitting manner by way of at least one auxiliary loop bundle. 
     It has been shown that it is possible to considerably increase the torque-transmission capability of such a joint body by providing auxiliary loop bundles in a region of the rubber-elastic casing in which none of the primary loop bundles extends. As is known, the critical regions for the torque transmission are, in particular, those regions of the joint body which are subjected to a tensile force during the torque transmission. In these regions, the primary loop bundles are almost exclusively load-bearing depending on the torque to be transmitted, because the material of the rubber-elastic casing plays barely any role in the transmission of tensile forces. If auxiliary loop bundles, which relieve the primary loop bundles, as it were, because the forces which are to be transmitted during the torque transmission are distributed to more loop bundles, namely the at least one primary loop bundle and the at least one auxiliary loop bundle, are provided in particular in these joint body portions which are subjected to a tensile force during the torque transmission, then this enables the transmission of altogether substantially higher tensile forces and therefore also considerably increased torques. The rubber-elastic casing is of negligible significance for the torque transmission precisely in this region which is subjected to a tensile force, which means that it is not detrimental for at least one auxiliary loop bundle to be additionally embedded in the rubber-elastic casing in the respective regions. 
     The force transmission between two bushings by way of at least one auxiliary loop bundle is particularly possible in that the two adjacent bushings are connected to one another by means of the support devices arranged respectively thereon by way of the at least one auxiliary loop bundle. With this, provision can be made for the support devices to be locally expanded or stretched for receiving simple fastening means for attaching the at least one auxiliary loop bundle. Therefore, local portions of the support devices can be provided, which are provided for attaching the respective auxiliary loop bundle. For example, it is possible to provide the bushings with collar elements of the support device, wherein these collar elements can serve for attaching force transmission elements thereto on which the auxiliary loop bundles are then suspended or act. Therefore, the force transmission to the bushings and thereby ultimately to the shaft portions connected to the bushings can be effected by means of the collar elements. 
     If the support devices of the two adjacent bushings are constructed for example so that a bearing pin can be arranged therein or connected thereto, the respective auxiliary loop bundle can be looped around the bearing pin and force can thus be transmitted to the respective bushing by way of the bearing pin and the support device. This can be achieved for example in that receiving openings, in which the bearing pins are more or less positively received, are provided in the respective collar elements. 
     Provision can be made here for two mutually parallel-extending bearing pins to be arranged on the support devices of the two adjacent bushings in each case, one or two mutually parallel-extending auxiliary loop bundles being looped around the said bearing pins. It is therefore possible to provide only one or even two or more bearing pins. In this context, it is possible to guide a respective auxiliary loop bundle around each bearing pin on a bushing and to likewise guide this auxiliary loop bundle around a complementary bearing pin on the adjacent bushing to enable a force transmission. However, it is alternatively possible to also use two or more bearing pins per bushing for attaching a single loop bundle which is then guided for example over the two or more bearing pins per bushing in desired manner. 
     There are various possibilities relating to the course of the auxiliary loop bundles between two adjacent bushings. One inventive variant provides for the at least one auxiliary loop bundle between two adjacent bushings to extend linearly in the tangential direction (with respect to a circle through all bushings of the joint body) or in the diametral direction or even in curved, preferably arcuately curved, manner with respect to the circumferential direction of the elastic joint body. Therefore, individual auxiliary loop bundles or a plurality of auxiliary loop bundles can be guided, as it were, parallel to one another and parallel to the at least one primary loop bundle between two adjacent bushings. However, it is alternatively also possible to guide these at an angle to an existing primary loop bundle or even in a curve relative thereto. The curvature can be directed radially inwards or radially outwards. An arcuate curvature enables, for example, the torque transmission characteristic of the joint body to have a kink or even a jump because, so long as the auxiliary loop bundle is not yet stretched, i.e. is still curved, its contribution to the torque transmission is, at the most, small. However, as soon as it is stretched, it can contribute substantially to the torque transmission. 
     A development of the invention provides for the at least one auxiliary loop bundle to be arranged inside a primary loop bundle. Therefore, the at least one auxiliary loop bundle can be arranged for example inside a primary loop bundle which is guided around two adjacent bushings. However, provision can be additionally or alternatively made for the at least one auxiliary loop bundle to surround a primary loop bundle, i.e. to be arranged radially outside this. Therefore, the at least one auxiliary loop bundle can be guided for example around two bushings and be arranged radially outside the primary loop bundle. In this context, it is possible for the at least one auxiliary loop bundle to be wound around a primary loop bundle, but to be separated from this in the region of at least one bushing by at least one separating element. This prevents the primary loop bundle and the auxiliary loop bundle from interacting in undesirable manner, for instance in such a way that individual textile loops of the auxiliary loop bundle mesh in the primary loop bundle over the course of the service life. 
     According to a development of the invention, it can be provided for the separating element to be integrally formed directly on the support device or formed by a separate component. It is possible here for the separating element to be of an arcuate construction and fixable on the support device. To fix it on the support device, fixing lugs, stops, feather edges, notched and angled portions of the support device, in particular of collar elements thereof and the like are possible. 
     A particularly high increase in the maximum transmissible forces can be achieved in that a plurality of auxiliary loop bundles are wound around a primary loop bundle, with each auxiliary loop bundle on a bushing being separated from the auxiliary loop bundle which is located radially further inwards on this bushing or from the primary loop bundle by a respective separating element. It can furthermore be provided according to the invention for the support device to have a plurality of collar elements of which it is comprised. Therefore, the support device can have, for example, a plurality of cross-sectionally L-shaped collar elements, with the support device being comprised thereof as required. As already indicated above, it can be provided in this context for the collar elements to be constructed with separating portions, acting as a separating element, for separating different primary loop bundles or auxiliary loop bundles from one another. 
     It is furthermore possible for the separating portions to be of a continuous or discontinuous construction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is explained by way of example below, with reference to the accompanying figures which show: 
         FIG. 1  an overall view of a rubber-elastic joint body according to the invention, with the rubber-elastic casing cut away in the upper third of the illustration; 
         FIG. 2  an illustration of two adjacent bushings, cut free in a cross-sectional view to explain the position of the primary loop bundle and auxiliary loop bundle; 
         FIG. 3  the view corresponding to  FIG. 2  in plan view; 
         FIG. 4  a view corresponding to  FIG. 3  of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  a view corresponding to  FIG. 3  of a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  a view corresponding to  FIG. 3  of a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  a view corresponding to  FIG. 3  of a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  views corresponding to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, of a sixth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  views corresponding to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, of a seventh embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  views corresponding to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, of an eighth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  a view corresponding to  FIG. 3  of a ninth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12   a  is an embodiment of a collar in plan view; 
         FIGS. 12   b  and  12   c  are cross-sectional views taken along the section line of  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 13   a  is another embodiment of a collar in plan view; 
         FIGS. 13   b  and  13   c  are cross-sectional views taken along the section line of  FIG. 13   a;    
         FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  are views of the collar element according to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; 
         FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b  are views of another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  are views of a yet another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 17   a - d  are views of a still another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 18   a  and  18   b  are views of another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 18   c  and  18   d  are views of yet another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 19   a - 19   c  are views of still another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 20   a - 20   c  are views of another embodiment of a collar element including a plurality of notches; 
         FIGS. 21   a  and  21   b  are views of another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 22   a  and  22   b  are views of yet another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 23   a  and  23   b  are views of still another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 24   a  and  24   b  are views of another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 25   a  and  25   b  are views of yet another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 26   a  and  26   b  are views of still another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 27   a  and  27   b  are views of another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIGS. 28   a  and  28   b  are views of yet another embodiment of a collar element; 
         FIG. 29   a - s  various embodiments of the invention in a cross-sectional view of a bushing shown by way of example, and 
         FIGS. 30 and 31  an embodiment of the invention as a connecting link. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a partially broken-away plan view of an elastic joint body  10  according to the invention, having six bushings  14  surrounded by a rubber-elastic casing  12 . The bushings  14  are arranged in predetermined angular portions of the joint body  10  in the circumferential direction with respect to a centre axis M in such a way that their centre points are located on a circular path K. In that region of the joint body according to  FIG. 1  which is shown cut away in the drawing, it is possible to see the collar elements  16  on the bushings  14 , which are arranged for axially supporting the loop bundles  18 ,  20  and  22 .  FIG. 1  further shows that, on the collar elements  16 , two respective pegs  24  are received in receiving openings  26  in the regions which face one another. A respective auxiliary loop bundle  28 , which extends inside the loop bundle  18 ,  20 ,  22 , is guided around each of these pegs  24 . 
       FIG. 1  moreover shows that a plurality of loop bundles  18 ,  20 , and  20 ,  22  loops around each individual bushing  14 . Provision can be made here for the loop bundles  18 ,  22 , for instance, to be subjected to tensile force in a state in which the joint body  10  is incorporated in a shaft arrangement and a drive torque is effectively transmitted between the shaft portions as a result of a clockwise rotation, whilst the loop bundle  20  together with the region of the rubber casing  12  which surrounds these loop bundles do not transmit any tensile force but are instead subjected to compressive force. If the direction of rotation changes for example when a motor vehicle is in overrun mode, the loop bundle  20  is subjected to a tensile force and the loop bundles  18 ,  22  are subjected to compressive force. The arrangement of the auxiliary loop bundles will be discussed in particular below. 
       FIG. 2  shows the two adjacent bushings  14 . Readily modified collar elements  30  are pushed or pressed positively thereon. The collar elements  30  have stretched portions  32  in their mutually facing regions. Respective openings  34 , into which pins  36  are inserted, are provided in these stretched portions  32  on the centre line L. The pins  36  have end portions whereof the diameter is slightly reduced and which are received with an exact fit in the openings  34 . Their centre regions are designed with a somewhat larger diameter to produce a diameter step (shoulder) with which they lie in each case against the collar elements  30  around the openings  34  to support the collar elements  30 . However, in an alternative construction, the pin ends can also extend axially beyond the collar elements  30 , i.e. they can project slightly from the bore  34 . The auxiliary loop bundle  28  is guided around the pins  26 . This auxiliary loop bundle extends radially inside the primary loop bundle  20  which is wound around the two bushings  14 . It can be seen that the loop bundles  28  extend substantially parallel to one another in the region between the two bushings  14 . Both are stretched and are subjected synchronously to stress when tensile loads occur. 
     Further developments of the invention will be explained below, with the same components as those described above being denoted by the same reference numerals. As regards their operation and construction, please refer to the description above. 
       FIG. 4  shows a modification of the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 . The two receiving openings  34  are no longer arranged on the centre line L but are offset by a spacing d from the centre line L. The loop bundle  40  is furthermore also not embedded in stretched manner in the rubber-elastic casing, but has an arcuate course, which is more precisely directed radially inwards, relative to the circle of curvature K (see also  FIG. 1  of the joint body) on which the centre points of the bushings  14  lie. Alternatively, the arcuate course can also be directed radially inwards. In both cases, this means that the auxiliary loop bundle  40  is not stretched in the unloaded starting state and only contributes to the tensile-force transmission between the two bushings  14  according to  FIG. 4  minimally—on account of it being embedded in the rubber-elastic casing. However, increasing tensile stress produces a more or less stretched state of the auxiliary loop bundle  40 , with the result that its contribution to the tensile-force transmission increases. 
       FIG. 5  shows a further modification of the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 . This shows that the two pins  36  are alternately offset relative to the centre line L, in each case by the spacing d. This results in the auxiliary loop bundle  42 , which is in any case already stretched in the unloaded starting state shown in  FIG. 5 , extending at an angle to the primary loop bundle  20 . Nevertheless, as the tensile load increases in this region, the loop bundle  42  comes closer to a parallel alignment of the outer primary loop bundle  20  and the contribution of the auxiliary loop bundle  42  to the tensile-force transmission thereby increases continuously. 
       FIG. 6  shows a further embodiment of the invention, in which two pins  36  are provided for each collar element  30 . A loop bundle  44  is wound around these pairs of retention pins  36  so that it extends relatively close to the primary loop bundle  20  and substantially parallel thereto. This variant embodiment, in which the loop bundle  44  is already stretched in the starting state, also results in the tensile forces being distributed to the primary loop bundle  20  and the auxiliary loop bundle  44  directly as a tensile load is initiated. 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment in which two pins  36  are in turn attached for each bushing  14  and corresponding collar elements  30 . Contrary to  FIG. 6 , in which only one auxiliary loop bundle  44  loops around the total of four pins, two auxiliary loop bundles  46 ,  48  are provided inside the primary loop bundle  20 , which auxiliary loop bundles are guided substantially parallel to one another and to the primary loop bundle  20  around the pins  26  and therefore contribute to a tensile force transmission. By comparison with the embodiment according to  FIG. 6 , the embodiment according to  FIG. 7  enables even greater tensile forces to be transmitted. 
       FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  deviate from the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 7  in terms of the attachment of the auxiliary loop bundle. Therefore, according to this variant embodiment, it is provided for an auxiliary loop bundle  50  to be guided radially outside the primary loop bundle  20 . To this end, constructed on the collar elements  52  in the region of the of the adjacent radially remote sides, there is a respective separating portion  54  which separates the primary loop bundle  20  wound around the bushing  14  from the auxiliary loop bundle  50 .  FIG. 8   a  shows that the two collar elements  52  are of a symmetrical construction to produce a type of joint  56  at which the two separating elements or separating portions  54  abut against one another. It is alternatively also possible to associate the one separating element  54  with only one collar element  52  and to construct this over the entire height of the primary loop bundle  20  so that the joint is positioned on the underside of one of the two collar elements. 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show the embodiment according to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , but with a separate separating element  60 . This is placed around the primary loop bundle  20  and, if required, can be fixed on the collar elements  52 . 
     On the basis of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 9   a, b ,  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  show a further-developed embodiment with a primary loop bundle  20 , a first auxiliary loop bundle  50  and a second auxiliary loop bundle  62 , wherein the auxiliary loop bundles are separated from one another and the first auxiliary loop bundle  50  is separated from the primary loop bundle  20  by respective separating elements  60 ,  64 . As in the embodiment according to  FIG. 9   b , the separating elements  60 ,  64  are metal or plastic bodies of an arcuate construction, which prevent the individual thread loops of the loop bundles from meshing with one another. 
       FIG. 11  shows an embodiment which represents a combination of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b  and the embodiment according to  FIG. 6 . It can be seen that, in this embodiment, a first auxiliary loop bundle  44  is provided around the pin pair  36  of each collar element  30 , radially inside the primary loop bundle  20 . A second auxiliary loop bundle  50  is guided radially outside around the primary loop bundle  20 , with a separating element  60  again being provided as described with reference to  FIGS. 8   a, b  and  9   a, b . This arrangement also enables the tensile-load transmission capacity to be increased by comparison with the embodiment according to  FIGS. 9   a, b  and by comparison with the embodiment according to  FIG. 6 . 
     Starting from the embodiment according to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b ,  FIGS. 12   a  to  12   c  and  13   a  to  13   c  show how cutouts  66 , in which the separating elements  60  and  64  engage, are provided on the collar element  52 .  FIGS. 12   b  and  12   c  show two alternatives here. According to the embodiment according to  FIG. 12   b , the separating element has a projection  68  with a barb  70  which enables the separating element  60  to be inserted into the cutout  66  by way of the projection  68  and to be fixed in position on the collar element  52  by the barb  70 .  FIG. 12   c  shows the variant in which the projection is inserted into the cutout  66  without the barb. Both variants show that it is possible to couple the separating elements  60  and  64  to the collar element  52  in pre-positioning manner. 
     In the embodiment according to  FIGS. 13 to 13   c , it is possible to see that the separating elements are guided up to the edge  72  of the collar element  52  and are hooked to the edge of the collar element  52  by way of corresponding projections  74  and projections with a barb  76 . This also enables the separating elements  60  and  64  to be coupled to the collar element. 
       FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  show the collar element as it is used in the embodiment according to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . It can be seen that the collar element has a flange  78  with which it can be attached to the bushing. The widened region  32  and the opening  34  are furthermore shown. 
       FIGS. 15   a, b  show a modification of the collar element, which is denoted here by  80 . It can be seen here that the widened region  82  is provided with flanks  84  having laterally concave incisions. As a result, the axial support of the primary loop bundle  20  is no greater than in a conventional joint disc arrangement, which means that a mutual cardanic movement between the adjacent bushings is not too greatly restricted. 
       FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  show the variant embodiment according to  FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b , but with flanks  84 ′ chamfered therein. This also enables local loads on the primary loop bundle  20  to be reduced in the event of cardanic stress. 
       FIGS. 17   a  to  17   d  show an embodiment based on the embodiments according to  FIGS. 15   a, b  and  16   a, b . In these, the collar element  86  is designed such that its contour is similar to that of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 14   a, b . However, to achieve correspondingly more angled flanks  88 , the outer regions  90  are bent outwards so that it is also possible to prevent the flexibility from becoming impaired in the event of cardanic loads. 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 18   a  and  18   b  shows that it is also possible to arrange auxiliary loop bundles on a series of adjacent bushings. It is also evident here that the collar element  92  as seen on the right in  FIG. 18   b  is constructed in the same manner as shown for instance in  FIGS. 15   a, b . Accordingly, the collar element  92  is however also provided with a receiving opening  94  and a correspondingly widened portion  96  on the bushing following in the other direction, so that a pin can also be arranged in the opening  94  in this direction and an auxiliary loop bundle can be attached. The dash-dot-dot line in  FIG. 18   b  also shows that the outer contour of the respective collar element  52  can have a different construction, in particular in that it can be reduced, in order to facilitate cardanic movements. 
       FIGS. 18   c  and  18   d  show an embodiment in which, similar to the illustration of  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , the separating element  54  is integrally formed on the collar element  52 . An additional option can furthermore be to provide a further opening  34  for attaching a further auxiliary loop bundle. It is again evident from the dash-dot-dot line in  FIG. 18   d  that the outer contour of the respective collar element  92  can also be reduced to facilitate cardanic movements. 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 19   a  to  19   c  shows a collar element  98  with various downwardly and upwardly angled notches  99 ,  101  which can each be used to mount auxiliary loop bundles. The support face  99  serves for structurally separating the primary and auxiliary loops for the tensile sections, the support face  101  for structurally separating the primary and auxiliary loops for the compressive sections as a variant to the embodiments according to  FIGS. 8   a, b  and  9   a, b . Here, the downwardly folded support face  99  serves as a separating element with respect to the bushing following to the right and the upwardly folded support face  101  serves as a separating element with respect to the bushing following to the left. The bore  34  is provided for receiving the bearing pin of the inner auxiliary loop. 
       FIGS. 20   a  to  20   c  also show a collar element  100  having a plurality of notches  102  which can then serve as separating elements between a primary loop bundle and an auxiliary loop bundle. 
       FIGS. 21   a  and  21   b  show a collar element  104  according to an embodiment having a notch  106  which is bent downwards and can be used as a separating element for separating a primary loop bundle from a secondary loop bundle. It is furthermore shown that the flange  78  merges into the disc-shaped collar element  104  by means of a loop-protecting rounded portion  108 . 
       FIGS. 22   a  and  22   b  show the embodiment as used in the variant according to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , but slightly modified. In this, the collar element  110  is constructed in a disc shape without a flange. The separating element  60  is a plate constructed in an approximately semi-circular shape and is formed as a separate component. 
       FIGS. 23   a  and  23   b  show an embodiment of the collar element  16  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 24   a  and  24   b  show, in an exploded view, an embodiment corresponding to the variant embodiment according to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , but without the flange  78 . The collar element  112  is constructed in the shape of a disc and has a semi-circular separating element  114  integrally formed thereon. 
       FIGS. 25   a ,  25   b  show a variant embodiment of a collar element  116  whereof the radial outer contour  118  is bent upwards in a cup shape. This collar element has a flange  78  which projects over a rounded region  120  out of the collar element  116 . A separately constructed separating element  122  is moreover provided, which has an approximately semi-circular course. 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 26   a, b  corresponds to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 25   a, b , but the collar element  124  thereof is of a somewhat stretched construction. The separating element  126  is furthermore integrally formed on the collar element  124 . 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 27   a  and  27   b  corresponds to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 25   a, b , although an opening  34  is additionally provided. The separating element  122  is optionally radially outside a primary loop bundle for the purpose of attaching a further auxiliary loop bundle. 
     The embodiment according to  FIGS. 28   a  and  28   b  corresponds to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 27   a  and  27   b , although with upwardly bent outer contour regions  118 . Furthermore, the flange  78  projects unrounded out of the collar element  130 . 
       FIGS. 29   a  to  29   p  show different variants for mounting primary loop bundles and auxiliary loop bundles on a collar bushing  14 . In these, a plurality of different collar elements are used, as have been described above, and the entire support device is comprised of this individual collar element. In some of these embodiments, simple cross-sectionally L-shaped collar elements are used on the axial ends in each case. Other embodiments have collar elements which are of a more complex construction and which have been explained in detail above. 
       FIG. 29   a  shows a simple construction in which a primary loop bundle is arranged in the tensile section on a collar element in a manner known per se in a certain load situation, and two loop bundles  18 ,  22  are arranged in a portion which is subjected to pressure. 
       FIG. 29   b  shows that, in the tensile section, a further auxiliary loop bundle  50  is arranged near to the primary loop bundle  20 . The arrangement corresponds to the arrangement according to  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b.    
       FIG. 29   c  shows the variant in which a further secondary loop bundle  28  is provided parallel to the primary loop bundle  20  over the pins  36 , as shown for instance in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 29   d  shows the embodiment with an inner auxiliary loop bundle  28  and an outer auxiliary loop bundle  50  in addition to the primary loop bundle  20 , as this embodiment is shown for instance in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 29   e  shows a variant embodiment in which two auxiliary loop bundles  132 ,  134  are arranged over pins radially inside primary loop bundles  18 ,  22 . 
       FIG. 29   f  shows a variant embodiment in which, in addition to the primary loop bundles  18 ,  22 , auxiliary loop bundles  132 ,  134  are provided over pins  36 . Furthermore, in addition to the primary loop bundle  20  corresponding to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b , an auxiliary loop bundle  50  is provided, separated by a separating element  60 . 
       FIG. 29   g  shows an alternative to the embodiment according to  FIG. 29   f , in which an auxiliary loop bundle  136  is guided over a pin  36  parallel to the primary loop bundle  20  on the inside thereof. Reference is moreover made to the explanation for  FIG. 29   f.    
       FIG. 29   h  shows a synthesis of the embodiments of  FIGS. 29   f  and  29   g , wherein, in addition to the primary loop bundle  20 , an auxiliary loop bundle  136  is provided radially inside over the pins  36  and a further auxiliary loop bundle  50  is provided radially outside the primary loop bundle  20 . Reference is moreover made to the description of  FIGS. 29   f, g.    
       FIG. 29   i  shows a variant embodiment in which auxiliary loop bundles  140 ,  142  are provided radially outside the primary loop bundles  18 ,  22 . 
       FIG. 29   j  shows a variant embodiment which starts with the variant embodiment according to  FIG. 29   i , but in which an auxiliary loop bundle  50  surrounding the primary loop bundle  20  is provided in addition to this latter. 
       FIG. 29   k  shows a variant embodiment corresponding to  FIG. 29   i , but in which the auxiliary loop bundle, which is associated with the primary loop bundle  20  and extends parallel thereto, is arranged radially inside over the pin  36 . 
       FIG. 29   l  shows a combination of the embodiments according to  FIGS. 29   j  and  29   k , in which the auxiliary loop bundle  50  is provided radially outside the primary loop bundle  20  and the auxiliary loop bundle  28  is provided radially inside the primary loop bundle  20 . 
       FIG. 29   m  shows a variant embodiment in which, parallel to the primary loop bundles  18 ,  22 , the auxiliary loop bundles  132 ,  134  are provided radially inside over pins  36  and the auxiliary loop bundles  140 ,  142  are provided radially outside. 
       FIG. 29   n  shows an embodiment starting from the embodiment according to  FIG. 29   m , in which the secondary loop bundle  50  is provided in addition to the primary loop bundle  20 . 
       FIG. 29   o  shows the variant embodiment according to  FIG. 29   m , in which, in addition to the primary loop bundle  20 , the auxiliary loop bundle  28  is provided radially inside over the pins  36 . 
       FIG. 29   p  shows a combination of the embodiments according to  FIGS. 29   n  and  29   o , in which auxiliary loop bundles  140 ,  142  and  50  are provided radially outside, both parallel to the primary loop bundles  18  and  22  and parallel to the primary loop bundles  20 , and auxiliary loop bundles  132 ,  134  and  28  are provided radially inside over pins  36 . 
       FIG. 29   q  shows a variant in which, in an actual torque transmission situation, a respective primary loop bundle  20 ,  22  is provided for each tensile-load section and compressive-load section, with a respective auxiliary loop bundle  28  being arranged over pins  36  in each of these primary loop bundles  20 ,  22 . 
       FIG. 29   r  shows a variant in which, starting with the variant according to  FIG. 29   q , a respective further auxiliary loop bundle  50  and  142  is provided in addition to the primary loop bundles  20 ,  22  and to the auxiliary loop bundles  28  arranged radially inside these latter. These further auxiliary loop bundles  50  and  142  are separated from the primary loop bundles  20 ,  22  by separating portions  54  integrally formed on the collar elements. 
       FIG. 29   s  shows a variant corresponding to the variant according to  FIG. 29   r , in which the separating portions  54  are replaced by separate separating elements  60 . 
       FIGS. 30 and 31  show an embodiment of the invention in which the joint body is not constructed as a joint disc with a plurality of bushings arranged along a circle, but as a single connecting link  180  with only two bushings  184  which—in a manner similar to that shown for two adjacent bushings of a joint disc in  FIG. 3  and described in detail above—have a primary loop bundle  186  looped around them and an auxiliary loop  188  additionally arranged between them. Connecting links  180  of this type are used for example in so-called link couplings, i.e. couplings in which two coupling parts are coupled by way of such links, which are constructed as separate components, for the purpose of torque transmission. The connecting link according to  FIGS. 30 and 31  demonstrates the advantages outlined, as have been described in detail above with reference to a connection between two adjacent bushings in a joint disc. In the case of the connecting link  180  according to this embodiment, it is also provided for the primary loop bundle  186  and the auxiliary loop bundle  188  to be embedded in the rubber-elastic elastomeric body  190 . 
     The above description shows that any combinations of the various primary and auxiliary loop bundle variants according to the present invention are possible to achieve an arrangement for constructing a joint body in individual regions, in the case of a joint disc, or around its entire circumference or, in the case of a connecting link, along its longitudinal extent for transmitting relatively high tensile forces. Depending on requirements, corresponding auxiliary loop bundles can be provided in the rubber-elastic casing in individual joint body portions or around its entire circumference or along its longitudinal extent in addition to the primary loop bundles which are present in any case, which auxiliary loop bundles considerably increase the tensile-stress limit and therefore create a joint body which is suitable for transmitting relatively high torques. 
     It goes without saying that, within the framework of the present invention, the numerous concepts outlined above can be combined in any way and the joint body can therefore be adapted to specific requirements and designed accordingly.