PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly perform a bending operation in the bending part of an insertion part concerning a self-propelled unit.SOLUTION: The self-propelled unit 11 is mounted by fixing it to a section of an insertion part 13 of an electronic endoscope 10 by a fixing part 72. A gap 46 is formed between the outer surface of the insertion part 13 and the inner hole surface of a pivotal support member 67 in the self-propelled unit 11. A second holding cylinder 51 is shorter in length than a rotation body 40. A gap 45 larger than the gap 46 is formed between the rotation body 40 projected from the second holding cylinder 51 and the outer surface of the insertion part 13. A first holding cylinder 50 includes: a cylindrical part 52 and a strip-shape member 53 which is turnably attached to one end of the cylindrical part via a driven roller 57. When the bending part 20 is bent, the projection part 40a of the rotation body 40 is pressurized by the bending part 20, so as to turn the strip-shape member 53 to an outer opening position. Thus, the bending operation of the bending part 20 is not disturbed by the self-propelled unit 11.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT【課題】自己推進装置において、挿入部の湾曲部の湾曲動作を円滑に行わせる。【解決手段】自己推進装置11は、固定部72により電子内視鏡10の挿入部13の一箇所に装着固定される。挿入部13の外面と自己推進装置11の軸支部材67の内孔面との間には、隙間46が設けられる。第2保持筒51は、回転体40よりも長さが短く、第2保持筒51から突出した回転体40と挿入部13の外面との間には、隙間46よりも大きな隙間45が設けられる。第1保持筒50は、円筒部52と、この一端部に従動ローラ57を介して回動自在に取り付けられた短冊状部材53とからなる。湾曲部20が湾曲されると、回転体40の突出部40aが湾曲部20に押され、短冊状部材53が外側の開位置へ回動されるため、湾曲部20の湾曲動作が自己推進装置11によって邪魔されることがない。【選択図】図5
