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Li Y, Li K, Fu F, Li Y, Li B. The Functions of Phasic Wing-Tip Folding on Flapping-Wing Aerodynamics. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:183. [PMID: 38534868 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9030183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects produce a variety of highly acrobatic maneuvers in flight owing to their ability to achieve various wing-stroke trajectories. Among them, beetles can quickly change their flight velocities and make agile turns. In this work, we report a newly discovered phasic wing-tip-folding phenomenon and its aerodynamic basis in beetles. The wings' flapping trajectories and aerodynamic forces of the tethered flying beetles were recorded simultaneously via motion capture cameras and a force sensor, respectively. The results verified that phasic active spanwise-folding and deployment (PASFD) can exist during flapping flight. The folding of the wing-tips of beetles significantly decreased aerodynamic forces without any changes in flapping frequency. Specifically, compared with no-folding-and-deployment wings, the lift and forward thrust generated by bilateral-folding-and-deployment wings reduced by 52.2% and 63.0%, respectively. Moreover, unilateral-folding-and-deployment flapping flight was found, which produced a lateral force (8.65 mN). Therefore, a micro-flapping-wing mechanism with PASFD was then designed, fabricated, and tested in a motion capture and force measurement system to validate its phasic folding functions and aerodynamic performance under different operating frequencies. The results successfully demonstrated a significant decrease in flight forces. This work provides valuable insights for the development of flapping-wing micro-air-vehicles with high maneuverability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Intelligent Morphing Mechanisms and Adaptive Robots, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Mechanism & Machine Theory and Intelligent Unmanned Systems of Guangdong, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Keyu Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Intelligent Morphing Mechanisms and Adaptive Robots, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Mechanism & Machine Theory and Intelligent Unmanned Systems of Guangdong, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Fang Fu
- College of Art and Design, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Intelligent Morphing Mechanisms and Adaptive Robots, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Mechanism & Machine Theory and Intelligent Unmanned Systems of Guangdong, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Intelligent Morphing Mechanisms and Adaptive Robots, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Mechanism & Machine Theory and Intelligent Unmanned Systems of Guangdong, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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