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Earwig-inspired foldable origami wing for micro air vehicle gliding
Risa Ishiguro1, Takumi Kawasetsu1, Yutaro Motoori2
1Adaptive Robotics Laboratory, Division of Systems Science, Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Japan.
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
|November 29, 2023
Summary
Inspired by earwigs, scientists created foldable wings for micro air vehicles (MAVs). These origami-hinged wings reduce size by sevenfold and increase lift with wind speed, enhancing MAV performance.
Area of Science:
- Robotics and Bio-inspired Engineering
- Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
Background:
- Micro air vehicles (MAVs) require compact designs for non-flight phases.
- Insect wing folding mechanisms offer inspiration for efficient size reduction.
- Earwigs possess exceptionally high wing folding ratios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop artificial foldable wings for MAVs inspired by earwig hindwings.
- To achieve high folding ratios and wind-responsive deployment.
- To enhance MAV size reduction and aerodynamic performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing origami hinge compliant mechanisms for wing design.
- Prototyping foldable wings with a sevenfold surface area reduction capability.
- Experimental evaluation of lift force at Reynolds numbers < 2.2 × 10^4.
Main Results:
- Wings demonstrated wind-responsive opening and folding.
- Foldable wings achieved a sevenfold reduction in surface area.
- Increased lift force was observed with higher wind speeds in the open position.
Conclusions:
- The developed foldable wings show practical feasibility for MAV applications.
- Wind responsiveness and efficient folding ratios are key advantages.
- These wings offer a promising solution for MAV size reduction and performance enhancement.
