Bending structure body
Provided is a multi-joint bending structure body that makes it possible to obtain a structure capable of making a small-radius turn. The present invention comprises: a plurality of first bendable parts 9 and second bendable parts 11 that can elastically bend with respect to the axial direction; and an intermediate part 13 that is positioned between a first bendable part 9 and a second bendable part 11 which are adjacent to each other. The first bendable parts 9 and the second bendable parts 11 are provided with a flexible member 17 that is an integral body in the axial direction. The intermediate part 13 is attached to the flexible member 17 between the first bendable part 9 and the second bendable part 11 which are adjacent, and suppresses the bending of the flexible member 17 with respect to the axial direction.
1 . A bending structure body, comprising:
a plurality of bendable parts that are elastically bendable with respect to an axial direction;
an intermediate part positioned between adjacent bendable parts; and
a wire inserted through the plurality of bendable parts and the intermediate part,
wherein the plurality of bendable parts comprise a flexible member that is integral in the axial direction,
the flexible member comprises an inner coil part and an outer coil part, and corresponding winding parts of the inner coil part are fitted into gaps between adjacent winding parts of the outer coil part,
the intermediate part suppresses bending of the flexible member with respect to the axial direction by inserting the flexible member through the intermediate part to attach an inner circumference of the intermediate part to the flexible member between the adjacent bendable parts, and
an entire length of the intermediate part in the axial direction is smaller than a difference between an inner diameter of the intermediate part and an outer diameter of the intermediate part in a radial direction.
2 . The bending structure body according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate part is an annular member for inserting the flexible member in the axial direction, and has the inner circumference attached to the flexible member.
3 . The bending structure body according to claim 2 , wherein the intermediate part is fixed to the flexible member.
4 . The bending structure body according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of bendable parts comprises an outer member that surrounds the flexible member and has elasticity.
5 . The bending structure body according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate part is fixed to the flexible member.
6 . The bending structure body according to claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of bendable parts comprises an outer member that surrounds the flexible member and has elasticity.
7 . The bending structure body according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bendable parts comprises an outer member that surrounds the flexible member and has elasticity.
8 . The bending structure body according to claim 7 , wherein the outer members of the plurality of bendable parts have ends that face each other across the intermediate part in the axial direction, and the ends are respectively attached to both sides of the intermediate part in the axial direction.
9 . The bending structure body according to claim 1 , wherein the entire length of the intermediate part in the axial direction spans no more than four turns of the outer coil part of the flexible member.
10 . The bending structure body according to claim 1 , wherein the entire length of the intermediate part in the axial direction spans no more than three turns of the outer coil part of the flexible member.