THREAD-REINFORCED JOINT DEVICE AND COUPLING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE DRIVE

Abstract

A thread-reinforced joint device for a coupling device of a vehicle drive, particularly of a low-platform vehicle, includes a plurality of coupling elements, at least one thread packet coupling two adjacent coupling elements so that a force is transmittable, a support device arranged on at least one of the coupling elements for axially guiding the at least one thread packet and at least one elastic body, into which, the at least one thread packet and the coupling elements are at least partially embedded. The coupling elements are designed and/or can be positioned so that the thread-reinforced joint device is adaptable to different mounting interfaces of a respective coupling device.

Claims

1.-23. (canceled)

24. A thread-reinforced joint device for a coupling device of a vehicle drive, comprising: a plurality of coupling elements configured to allow the thread-reinforced joint device to be adapted to different mounting interfaces of a coupling device; at least one thread packet configured to couple adjacent ones of the coupling elements for transmission; a support device arranged on at least one of the adjacent coupling elements and configured to axially guide the at least one thread packet; and at least one elastic body having at least partially embedded therein the at least one thread packet and the adjacent coupling elements.

25. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, wherein the vehicle drive is part of a low-platform vehicle.

26. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, wherein the at least one of the adjacent coupling elements includes a screw thread.

27. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, wherein at least one of the adjacent coupling elements includes a segment with a predetermined screw head.

28. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, wherein the at least one of the adjacent coupling elements includes a segment to form a shoulder element.

29. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, further comprising a bushing configured to receive the at least one of the adjacent coupling elements.

30. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, wherein a first group of the coupling elements is arranged on a first radius and a second group of the coupling elements is arranged on a second radius, said first and second radii differing from one another.

31. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 30, wherein the coupling elements of the first group and the coupling elements of the second group are arranged alternately in a circumferential direction of the thread-reinforced joint device.

32. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 30, wherein the coupling elements of the first group and the coupling elements of the second group are arranged in alignment or offset with respect to one another in a radial direction.

33. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 30, wherein one of the adjacent coupling elements is a member of the first group of the coupling elements and the other one of the adjacent coupling elements is a member of the second group of the coupling elements.

34. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 30, wherein the coupling elements of the first group are connected to one another by a first group of thread packets and the coupling elements of the second group are connected to one another by a second group of thread packets.

35. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 34, wherein the first and second groups of thread packets are clip-shaped.

36. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 24, further comprising a plurality of said elastic body and a plurality of said thread packet, each of the elastic bodies having received therein a corresponding one of the thread packets.

37. The thread-reinforced joint device of claim 36, wherein the elastic bodies are coupled to one another by at least one of the coupling elements.

38. A coupling device for a vehicle drive, comprising: a first flange configured for coupling to a gear unit; a shaft segment extending through the at least one first flange; a first thread-reinforced joint device; a second flange coupled to the first flange by the first thread-reinforced joint device; a third flange configured for coupling to a wheel of the vehicle drive, said third flange being coupled to the second flange via the shaft segment; and a second thread-reinforced joint device arranged on the third flange.

39. The coupling device of claim 38, wherein the vehicle drive is part of a low-platform vehicle.

40. The coupling device of claim 38, wherein the shaft segment is a hollow-shaft segment.

41. The coupling device of claim 38, wherein the first flange includes an aperture, said shaft segment extending through the aperture of the first flange.

42. The coupling device of claim 38, wherein the shaft segment includes a gear tooth system engaging in a corresponding gear tooth system on the second flange.

43. The coupling device of claim 38, wherein the third flange is formed in one piece with the shaft segment.

44. The coupling device of claim 38, wherein at least one member selected from the group consisting of the first thread-reinforced joint device and the second thread-reinforced joint device is constructed to include a plurality of coupling elements configured to allow the thread-reinforced joint device to be adapted to different mounting interfaces of a coupling device, at least one thread packet configured to couple adjacent ones of the coupling elements for transmission, a support device arranged on at least one of the adjacent coupling elements and configured to axially guide the at least one thread packet, and at least one elastic body having at least partially embedded therein the at least one thread packet and the adjacent coupling elements.

45. A drive arrangement for a vehicle, comprising: a gear unit operably connected to at least one vehicle wheel of the vehicle; a motor coupled to the gear unit; and a coupling device arranged between the gear unit and the at least one vehicle wheel, said coupling device including a first flange configured for coupling to the gear unit, a shaft segment extending through the at least one first flange, a first thread-reinforced joint device, a second flange coupled to the first flange by the first thread-reinforced joint device, a third flange configured for coupling to a wheel of the vehicle drive, said third flange being coupled to the second flange via the shaft segment, and a second thread-reinforced joint device arranged on the third flange.

46. The drive arrangement of claim 45, wherein the vehicle is part of a low-platform vehicle.

47. The drive arrangement of claim 45, wherein the second thread-reinforced joint device of the coupling device is coupled to the at least one vehicle wheel.

48. The drive arrangement of claim 45, wherein the gear unit includes a shaft segment, said first flange of the coupling device including a gear tooth system for coupling with a gear tooth system of the shaft segment of.

49. A low-platform vehicle, comprising a drive arrangement, said drive arrangement including a gear unit operably connected to at least one vehicle wheel of the vehicle, a motor coupled to the gear unit, and a coupling device arranged between the gear unit and the at least one vehicle wheel, said coupling device including a first flange configured for coupling to the gear unit, a shaft segment extending through the at least one first flange, a first thread-reinforced joint device, a second flange coupled to the first flange by the first thread-reinforced joint device, a third flange configured for coupling to a wheel of the vehicle drive, said third flange being coupled to the second flange via the shaft segment, and a second thread-reinforced joint device arranged on the third flange.

Description

[0039] The following describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drive arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the drive arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the drive arrangement;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a coupling device according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the coupling device according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a further perspective view of the thread-reinforced joint device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the thread-reinforced joint device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection IX-IX in FIG. 8;

[0049] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the thread-reinforced joint device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XI-XI in FIG. 10;

[0051] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a basic body of the thread-reinforced joint device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0052] FIG. 13 shows a front view of the basic body of the thread-reinforced joint device in FIG. 12;

[0053] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XIV-XIV in FIG. 13;

[0054] FIG. 15 shows the perspective view in FIG. 1 with housings arranged on the gear units;

[0055] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 17 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 18 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17;

[0058] FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a coupling device with a thread-reinforced joint device according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0059] FIG. 20 shows a top view of the coupling device in FIG. 19;

[0060] FIG. 21 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXI-XXI in FIG. 20;

[0061] FIG. 22 shows a coupling device with a thread-reinforced joint device according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0062] FIG. 23 shows a top view of the coupling device in FIG. 22;

[0063] FIG. 24 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23;

[0064] FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0065] FIG. 26 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device according to the third embodiment of the invention; and

[0066] FIG. 27 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXVII-XXVII in FIG. 26.

[0067] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of a chassis 100 of a rail vehicle. The chassis can for example be a bogie of a rail vehicle. Four drive arrangements 10 are arranged on the bogie 100.

[0068] Each drive arrangement 10 is assigned to a rail vehicle wheel 12 and comprises a motor 14, a gear unit 16 and a coupling device 18. The coupling device 18 is connected to the rail vehicle wheel 12. The coupling device 18 is arranged on the side 20 of the rail vehicle wheel facing away from the chassis 100. The coupling device 18 is directly connected to the rail vehicle wheel 12. The coupling device 18 is provided between the gear unit 16 and the rail vehicle wheel 12 and hence arranged on the output side. In this case, both the motor 14 and the gear unit 16 are sprung. Consequently, both contribute to the sprung mass. Such a case is also called a fully sprung system.

[0069] The motors 14 are attached to the chassis 100 by connecting elements 102. The rail vehicle wheels 12 are connected to cross members 104 and longitudinal members 106 of the chassis 100. The drive arrangements 10 are arranged outside a region BS of the chassis 100 enclosed between the rail vehicle wheels 12. The region BS is defined by the cross members 104 and the longitudinal members 106 of the chassis 100. Segments of the cross members 104 and the longitudinal members 106 extend partially below the axles of the wheels 12. This is characteristic of low-platform vehicles. This enables the interior vehicle floors to be arranged below the wheel axles or in the region of the wheel axles.

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the bogie or chassis 100 with the drive arrangements 10 arranged thereupon. The drive arrangements 10 each comprise a motor 14, a gear unit 16 and the coupling device 18. The drive arrangements 10 are provided outside the region BS defined by the members 104 and 106 on the outer side 20 of the rail vehicle wheels 12.

[0071] The gear unit 16 can, for example, be a bevel gear in which a drive shaft 22 comprises a pinion 24 which drives a ring gear 26. The axis Al of the shaft 22 and the axis A2 of the ring gear 24 extend perpendicular to one another, i.e. the axes A1 and A2 intersect. The axis A2 conforms with the axis A3 of the coupling device 18 or the rail vehicle wheel 12. Correspondingly, the axis A3 of the coupling device 18 and the axis A1 of shaft 22 of the gear unit 16 also intersect.

[0072] The axis A1 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the chassis 100. The axis A3 of the coupling device 18 extends transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the chassis 100.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the drive arrangement 10 in which it is possible to identify the gear unit 16, the coupling device 18 and the rail vehicle wheel 12 with its axle 28.

[0074] The ring gear 26 of the gear unit 16 is non-rotatably connected to a hollow-shaft segment 30. The shaft segment 30 comprises a gear tooth system 32. The gear tooth system 32 is in engagement with a corresponding gear tooth system 34 of the first flange 36. A second flange 38 comprises a gear tooth system 40 which engages in a corresponding gear tooth system 42 of a hollow-shaft segment 44. A first thread-reinforced joint device 46 is provided between the first flange 36 and the second flange 38. According to this embodiment, the thread-reinforced joint device 46 is embodied in the form of an elastic flexible disk. The hollow-shaft segment 44 extends through an aperture 48 of the first flange 36 in the direction of the rail vehicle wheel 12. On the hollow-shaft segment 44, there is a third flange 50 on which a second thread-reinforced joint device 52 is arranged. The thread-reinforced joint device 52 is screwed to the third flange 50 by means of screws 54. The second thread-reinforced joint device 52 is also embodied as an elastic flexible disk. The second thread-reinforced joint device 52 is connected to the rail vehicle wheel 12 and drives said wheel.

[0075] The rail vehicle wheel 12 comprises a tire 12a and a hub 12b with an aperture 12c for receiving the axle 28. An elastic rubber track 12d is provided between the hub 12b and the tire 12a.

[0076] The torque is transmitted from the motor 14 to the gear unit 16. The torque is transmitted from the gear unit 16 via the hollow-shaft segment 30 to the first flange 36. The torque is forwarded from the first flange 36 via the first thread-reinforced joint device 46 to the second flange 38 and hence to the hollow-shaft segment 44. The hollow-shaft segment 44 transmits the torque to the third flange 50, which is connected to the second thread-reinforced joint device 52. The second thread-reinforced joint device 52 transmits the torque to the wheel 12 and hence drives said wheel.

[0077] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the coupling device 18.

[0078] The first flange 36 comprises the gear tooth system 34, which, as shown in FIG. 3, serves for connection to the gear unit 16 or the hollow-shaft segment 30 (not shown) of the gear unit 16. The first flange 36 is connected to the second flange 38 by the first thread-reinforced joint device or flexible disk 46. The flange 36 and 38 can be screwed to the flexible disk 46. The second flange 38 is connected to the hollow-shaft segment 44. The hollow-shaft segment 44 extends through the aperture 48 of the first flange 36 in the direction of the second thread-reinforced joint device 52 or the elastic flexible disk 52. The hollow-shaft segment 44 comprises a third flange 50, which is connected to the elastic joint device 52 by means of screws 54.

[0079] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the coupling device 18.

[0080] The thread-reinforced joint device or the flexible disk 46 is provided between the first flange 36 and the second flange 38. The thread-reinforced joint device 46 comprises thread packets 56 and 58 of which in each case two strands 56a, 56b and 58a, 58b are identifiable in FIG. 5. The thread packets 56 and 58 are embedded in an elastomeric sheathing 60. The first thread-reinforced joint device 46 is used to transmit torque from the first flange 36 to the second flange 38.

[0081] The second flange 38 comprises an aperture 62. Embodied on the axial surface of the second flange 38 facing the hollow-shaft segment 44 is the gear tooth system 40 which engages in a corresponding gear tooth system 42 of the hollow-shaft segment 44. The third flange 50, which is connected to the second thread-reinforced joint device or the second flexible disk 52, is provided on the hollow-shaft segment 44. The thread-reinforced joint device 52 is connected to the third flange 50 by means of screws 54. To this end, the second thread-reinforced joint device 52 comprises coupling elements 64 by means of which the thread-reinforced joint device 52 can be connected to the third flange 50 in a torque-transmitting manner by means of the screws 54,

[0082] The second thread-reinforced joint device 52 also comprises thread packets 54 and 56 which are embedded in an elastic sheathing 60.

[0083] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0084] The thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 according to the first embodiment can be used as the first and second elastic joint device 46, 52 in the coupling device 18. The elastic joint device 46, 52 comprises the elastic sheathing 60 in which the coupling elements 64 are embedded at least partially.

[0085] The flexible disk 46, 52 is embodied in two rows, i.e. the elastic joint device 46, 52 comprises two groups of coupling elements 64a and 64b arranged offset with respect to one another in the radial direction around the circumference of the elastic joint device 46, 52. Each of coupling elements 64a and 64b is used to couple the thread-reinforced joint devices 46, 52 to one of the flanges 36, 38, 50 or the rail vehicle wheel 12.

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a further perspective view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52. The thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 comprises a first group of coupling elements 64a and a second group of coupling elements 64b. The coupling elements 64a are arranged on a first radius and the coupling elements 64b are arranged on a second radius.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the elastic joint device 46, 52 with the coupling elements 64a of the first group and the coupling elements 64b of the second group. The coupling elements 64a all lie on a first radius RI about the center axis M of the elastic joint device 46, 52. The coupling elements 64b in turn all lie on a second radius R2 about the center axis M. The bushing-shaped coupling elements 64a and 64b are consequently arranged offset with respect to one another in the radial direction by the distance R2-R1. The coupling elements 64a and 64b are in alignment in the radial direction. In the circumferential direction, the coupling elements 64a and 64b are provided alternately with two types of shoulder elements 66, 68. The coupling elements 64a and 64b are partly provided with disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 while another part of the coupling elements 64a and 64b is provided with collar-shaped shoulder elements 68. The coupling elements 64a, 64b with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and the coupling elements 64a, 64b with the collar-shaped shoulder elements 68 are arranged offset with respect to one another by 30° in the circumferential direction. The center axes MK.sub.1 of the coupling elements 64a of the first group are arranged on the first radius R1 and the center axes MK.sub.2 of the coupling elements 64b of the second group are arranged on the second radius R2.

[0088] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection IX-IX in FIG. 8.

[0089] FIG. 9 identifies the coupling elements 64a and 64b which are encircled by the thread packets 56 and 58. The thread packets 56 and 58 are axially secured in the direction of the center axis M on their left side with disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and in the direction of the center axis M on the right side of the joint device 46, 52 with shoulder elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section. The radial ends of the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 are partially surrounded by the elastic sheathing 58.

[0090] A further shoulder element 70 is provided between the thread packets 56 or 58, wherein said shoulder element separates the thread-packet pairs 56 and 58 from one another. The axial ends of the coupling elements 64a and 64b, which are provided with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66, serve as a point of application or contact point for the screw heads of the screws 54 (see FIG. 5).

[0091] FIG. 10 shows a front view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52. The top view in FIG. 10 to a large extent corresponds to the top view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 in FIG. 8. Only the line of intersection XI-XI in FIG. 10 has a different course than the line of intersection IX-IX in FIG. 8.

[0092] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XI-XI in FIG. 10.

[0093] FIG. 11 identifies the thread packets 56 which encircle the coupling elements 64a of the first group. The thread packets 58 encircle the coupling elements 64b of the second group. The thread packets 58, which form a second group of thread packets, extend offset with respect to one another in the region between the coupling elements 64a and 64b in the direction of the center axis M of the thread-reinforced joint device 64, 52. Consequently, the thread packets 56 and the thread packets 58 are not only radially offset with respect to one another but are also offset in the direction of the center axis M. This can also be identified from the indentations V in the elastic body 60. The indentations V each lie in the region between the coupling elements 64a and 64b. The depth of the indentations V in the elastic body 60 substantially corresponds to the extension of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 in the direction of the center axis M minus the cross section of a thread packet 56, 58 and the necessary sheathing of the thread packet by the elastic body 60.

[0094] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the basic body of the elastic joint device 46, 52. Accordingly, the subsequent figures show the basic body of the elastic joint devices without the elastic sheathing 60.

[0095] FIG. 12 identifies the clip-shaped thread packets 56 and 58 in each case encircling a coupling element 64a, 64b in pairs. In the circumferential direction the coupling elements 64a and 64b are provided alternately with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and the shoulder elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section. In addition, one of the axial ends of each of the coupling elements 64a and 64b is provided with the disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and in each case the other axial end with a shoulder element 68 with an L-shaped cross section. The coupling elements 64a of the first group are each encircled in pairs by the thread packets 56 which are alternately subjected to tensile and compressive stress. The thread packets 56 can be assigned to a first group. Together with the coupling elements 64a of the first group, the thread packets 56 of the first group form a first torque transmission chain. The coupling elements 64b of the second group are each encircled in pairs by the thread packets 58, wherein in each case one of the thread packets 58 is subjected to tensile stress and the other to compressive stress. The thread packets 58 are to be assigned to a second group and, together with the coupling elements 64b, form a second torque transmission chain.

[0096] In other words, the thread packets 56 are arranged in a ring shape and coupled to one another in a torque-transmitting manner by the coupling elements 64a. The same applies to the thread packets 58, which are arranged in a ring shape and coupled in a torque transmitting manner by the coupling elements 64b.

[0097] Moreover, it is identifiable in FIG. 12 that the thread packets 56 and 58 each extends offset with respect to one another in the axial direction and encircles the coupling elements 64a and 64b assigned thereto.

[0098] FIG. 13 shows a front view of the basic body of the elastic joint device 46, 52.

[0099] The thread packets 56 lie radially inside the thread packets 58, i.e. the ring formed by the thread packets 58 encircles the ring formed by the thread packets 56. In the circumferential direction, the thread packets 56 and 58 are secured alternately on each axial side of the elastic joint body 46, 52 once with disk-shaped shoulder elements 66 and once with collar elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section to the coupling elements 64a and 64b in the axial direction.

[0100] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XIV-XIV in FIG. 13.

[0101] FIG. 14 in turn identifies coupling elements 64a and 64b encircled by two thread packets 56 or 58, The axial ends of the coupling elements 64a and 64b are provided alternately with disc-shaped shoulder elements 66 and collar elements 68 with an L-shaped cross section.

[0102] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view extensively corresponding to the view in FIG. 1. The gear unit 16 and the coupling devices 18 are received in housings 72. Elements (not shown) for holding or mounting the coupling devices 18 can be provided or embodied in the housings 72. The housings 72 span the region between the motor 14 and the wheel 12. The shape of the housings 72 is selected such that the housing 72 or its inside walls (not shown) have the shortest possible distance to the gear unit 16 and the coupling device 18.

[0103] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0104] The thread-reinforced joint device 46 according to this embodiment comprises coupling elements 74, which are at least partially embedded in an elastic body 60.

[0105] The coupling elements 74 have a screw head 76 at their axial ends. According to this embodiment, the screw head 76 is embodied in the form of a hexagon. A shoulder element 68 is provided at the axial end of the coupling elements 74 opposite to the screw head 76. In the circumferential direction of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, it is in each case possible to identify alternately the screw head 76 and the axial end of the coupling element 74 with the shoulder element 68 opposite to the screw head 76.

[0106] FIG. 17 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

[0107] FIG. 17 shows the coupling elements 74 with their screw head 76. As is clearly identifiable in FIG. 17, the screw head 76 is a hexagon.

[0108] FIG. 18 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17.

[0109] In addition to the screw head 76, the coupling elements 74 also have a shoulder segment 78 acting as a shoulder element. The shoulder segment 78 is used to secure the thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 axially on the coupling element 74. To this end, the shoulder segment 78 interacts with the shoulder element 68. The shoulder element 68 is provided on the axial end of the coupling element 74 opposite the shoulder segment 78. The shoulder segment 78 and the shoulder element 68 hold the thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 in their predetermined position on the coupling element 74. The screw head 76 and the shoulder segment 78 are embodied in one piece with the coupling element 76.

[0110] The coupling elements 74 have a through opening O. The inside of the aperture O is provided with a screw-thread in which the mounting screws (not shown) can be screwed in order to mount the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52 on a flange.

[0111] During the operation of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52, the thread packets 56a and 56b are to a large extent subjected to compressive stress. During the operation of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, the thread packet 58 with a larger cross section is mainly subjected to tensile forces,

[0112] FIG. 19 shows a coupling device 200 with the thread-reinforced joint device 46 according to the second embodiment.

[0113] The coupling device 200 comprises a first flange 282 and a second flange 284 connected to one another by the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

[0114] The first flange 282 comprises flange arms 282a to 282e. The second flange 284 comprises flange arms 284a to 284c. The flange arms 282a to 282e of the first flange 282 are connected to the thread-reinforced joint device 46 by means of screws 286. Similarly, the flange arms 284a to 284c of the second flange 284 are screwed to the thread-reinforced joint device 46 by means of screws 288. Here, the screws 286 and 288 are screwed into the coupling elements 74 with the screw-thread 80 (FIG. 18). Here, the screw head 76 is used to counterhold the coupling element 74 while the screws 286, 288 are screwed in. While the screws 86 and 88 are being screwed into the thread-reinforced joint device 46, the coupling element 74 is counterheld by means of a screw head 76 with the aid of a wrench so that no torque is transmitted to the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

[0115] FIG. 20 shows a top view of the coupling device 200 in which the first flange 282 with its flange arms 282a to 282f can be identified. The flange arms 282a to 282f are connected to the thread-reinforced joint device 46 by the screws 286, i.e. the screws 286 were screwed into the coupling element 74 with its screw-thread 80. The same applies to the screws 288.

[0116] FIG. 21 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXI-XXI in FIG. 20.

[0117] The screws 286 and 288 were screwed into the aperture 0 of the coupling element 74 with the screw-thread 80. It is further identifiable in FIG. 21 that the shoulder segment 78 is provided on the axial end of the coupling element 74 on which the screw head 76 is also located. While the screws 286 and 288 are being screwed in, the coupling elements 74 are held by means of the screw head 76 thus avoiding torque transmission to the coupling elements 74. This should in particular avoid torque transmission to the thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 and the elastic body 60. The screws 286 and 288 with their screw heads are located on the side of the flanges 282 and 284 facing away from the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

[0118] FIG. 22 shows a coupling device 300 extensively corresponding to the coupling device 200 described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21.

[0119] The actual differences between this embodiment and the above described embodiment consist in the elastic joint device 46, which, according to this embodiment, comprises a plurality of coupling elements 90a and 90b with elastic bodies 60. The coupling elements 90a and 90b are each screwed to the flanges 382 and 384 or their flange arms 382a to 382e and 384a to 384c by a screw 386, 388. To this end, the coupling elements 74 with a screw head 76 are provided on the coupling elements 90a and 90b. As in the above-described embodiment, the screw head 76 in the form of a hexagon is used to counterhold the coupling elements 74 while the screws 386 and 388 are screwed into the coupling elements 74 so that no torque is transmitted to the coupling elements 90a and 90b.

[0120] FIG. 23 shows a top view of the coupling device 300 in which the first flange 384 with the screws 386 can be identified. The screws 386 are screwed to the coupling elements 74 of the thread-reinforced joint device 46. The same applies to the screws 388.

[0121] FIG. 24 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 23.

[0122] In FIG. 24, it is possible to identify the coupling elements 90a and 90b which together form the thread-reinforced joint device 46. The coupling elements 90a and 90b each have an elastic body 60. A thread packet 56 with shoulder elements 68 is embedded in the elastic body 60 each coupling element 90a and 90b. The shoulder elements 68 are used to secure the thread packet 56 to a bushing 92. The shoulder elements 68 have an L-shaped cross section and their tube segment lies on the bushing 92. The shoulder elements 68 can be pressed onto the bushing 92.

[0123] Each coupling element 74 connects two coupling elements 90a and 90b to one another. Accordingly, each coupling element 74 connects two bushings 92 of the coupling elements 90a and 90b. The coupling elements 74 in turn have a central aperture O in which a screw-thread 80 is provided. The screws 86 and 88 can be screwed into the screw-thread 80 of the coupling elements 74. This enables the thread-reinforced joint device 46 to be connected to the flanges 382 and 384.

[0124] FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a thread-reinforced joint device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0125] The thread-reinforced joint device 46 comprises an elastic body 60 in which the coupling elements 64 and the shoulder elements 68 on the coupling elements 64 are at least partially embedded.

[0126] FIG. 26 shows a top view of the thread-reinforced joint device 46.

[0127] The coupling elements 64 can be subdivided into a first group of coupling elements 64a and a second group of coupling elements 64b. The first group of coupling elements 64a is arranged with its center axes MK.sub.1 on a first radius R1. The second group of the coupling elements 64b with its center axes MK.sub.2 is arranged on a second radius R2. Hence, the coupling elements 64a of the first group and the coupling elements 64b of the second group are offset with respect to one another by the amount R2-R1 in the radial direction, The coupling elements 64a and the coupling elements 64b are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the thread-reinforced joint device 46. The coupling elements 64a of the first group and the coupling elements 64b of the second group are each coupled to one another by a thread packet (FIG. 27), This offset in the radial direction of the coupling elements 64a and 64b, causes the thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 (FIG. 27) to extend obliquely between the coupling elements 64a and 64b to be connected. As a result, during the operation of the thread-reinforced joint device 46, the thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 have a tangential alignment. The tangential alignment of the thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 enables a characteristic curve with a soft zero passage. Moreover, the arrangement of the coupling elements 64a on the radius R1 and the coupling elements 64b ob the radius R2 enables greater radial deflection. In this case, the deflection is permitted in the magnitude of the value R2-R1. Accordingly, the radial deflection is within the range of the difference between the radius R2 and the radius R1.

[0128] FIG. 27 shows a sectional view along the line of intersection XXVI-XXVI in FIG. 26.

[0129] The coupling elements 64a and 64b are encircled by thread packets 56a, 56b and 58. The thread packets 56a, 56b and 58 are held on the coupling elements 64a, 64b by means of the shoulder elements 68. The shoulder elements 68 have an L-shaped cross section and have a tube segment lying on the coupling elements 64a and 64b and a segment extending in the radial direction. The encircling packets 56a and 56b lie on the segment of the shoulder elements 68 extending in the radial direction.

[0130] All the above-described embodiments of the thread-reinforced joint devices 46, 52 can be used in a coupling device 18 according to FIGS. 1 to 6. The individual aspects of the above-described embodiments of thread-reinforced joint devices 46, 52 can also be provided together in one single thread-reinforced joint device 46, 52.