US Patent 9526582 Endoscope robot having joint structure with high curvature

An endoscope robot inserted into a duct to perform a predetermined work includes a flexible first tube body, a joint structure coupled to an end of the first tube body, and an end-effector connected to the joint structure so that location and direction of the end-effector are adjusted by the joint structure. The joint structure includes a fixed arm coupled to an end of the first tube body, and a plurality of pivotal arms arranged in order in a row from the fixed arm and pivotally connected to each other. The first tube body curves and linearly moves in the duct to move the end-effector to a working position. The plurality of pivotal arms is pivoted at the working position to adjust location and direction of the end-effector.