Bionic Flexible Wings Design of the Flapper

Abstract:

The fixed-wing aircrafts rely mainly on thrust generated by engine and lift produced by wings to keep flying, so there are strict requirements on their speeds and attack angles. The flappers can hover freely in the air like insects because they have different flight principles and forms compared with fixed-wing aircrafts. The flapper is consisted of the flapping-wing, the flapping-wing mechanism and the drive. The flapping-wing is used to generate lifts and thrusts while the wing mechanism and the drive provide main power to the flapping wing. Traditionally, flapper uses rigid wing to provide lift and thrust force. The researches of the insect flapping wing process indicate insect wings would produce certain flexibility and umbrella effect in this process. Based on the above research, the compression molding is employed to manufacture the bionic flexible wing in this article. Whats more, in order to imitate the umbrella deformations at the wing tips, IPMC (Ionic Polymer Metal-Composites) are fixed on the flexible wings to achieve umbrella deformations.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 461)
• Pages: 178-183
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.461.178
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Ben Zheng Dong, Chang Long Li, Ai Hong Ji
• Keywords: Bionic Flexible Wing, Compression Molding Method, Flapper, IPMC

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