Document Type
Paper
Abstract
Bioinspired flapping-wing drones have the potential to revolutionize data collection techniques with increased versatility and performance over existing rotary and fixed-wing drone types. Their capability for increased power efficiency is demonstrated in the long-range migration of Monarch butterflies. However, the wing motion is more complicated, resulting in three-dimensional wing kinematics. To better understand the performance of these wings, a flapping wing gear system is developed to reproduce the flapping motion of a monarch butterfly. The mechanism consists of a two-stage gear reduction and a 4-bar linkage to convert rotary motion to flapping motion. A dynamic analysis performed on the proposed gear system shows that the flapping wing amplitude and frequency depend on the rpm of the motor, gear ratios used, and the lengths of the linkages making up the system. Simulations with variations of these characteristics were performed to create a flapping mechanism that mimicked butterfly flapping as closely as possible. The resulting flapper design achieved a range of motion comparable to a monarch butterfly with smooth sinusoidal motion.
Developing a Flapping Gear System for Butterfly-Inspired Motion
Bioinspired flapping-wing drones have the potential to revolutionize data collection techniques with increased versatility and performance over existing rotary and fixed-wing drone types. Their capability for increased power efficiency is demonstrated in the long-range migration of Monarch butterflies. However, the wing motion is more complicated, resulting in three-dimensional wing kinematics. To better understand the performance of these wings, a flapping wing gear system is developed to reproduce the flapping motion of a monarch butterfly. The mechanism consists of a two-stage gear reduction and a 4-bar linkage to convert rotary motion to flapping motion. A dynamic analysis performed on the proposed gear system shows that the flapping wing amplitude and frequency depend on the rpm of the motor, gear ratios used, and the lengths of the linkages making up the system. Simulations with variations of these characteristics were performed to create a flapping mechanism that mimicked butterfly flapping as closely as possible. The resulting flapper design achieved a range of motion comparable to a monarch butterfly with smooth sinusoidal motion.
