Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality

Birds use their claws to perch on branches, which helps them to recover energy and observe their surroundings; however, most biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft can only fly, not perch. This study was conducted on the basis of bionic principles to replicate birds’ claw and wing movements in order to d...

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Main Authors: Wenyang Pu, Qiang Shen, Yuhang Yang, Yiming Lu, Yaojie Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Biomimetics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/736
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author Wenyang Pu
Qiang Shen
Yuhang Yang
Yiming Lu
Yaojie Yan
author_facet Wenyang Pu
Qiang Shen
Yuhang Yang
Yiming Lu
Yaojie Yan
author_sort Wenyang Pu
collection DOAJ
description Birds use their claws to perch on branches, which helps them to recover energy and observe their surroundings; however, most biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft can only fly, not perch. This study was conducted on the basis of bionic principles to replicate birds’ claw and wing movements in order to design a highly biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft capable of perching. First, a posture conversion module with a multi-motor hemispherical gear structure allows the aircraft to flap, twist, swing, and transition between its folded and unfolded states. The perching module, based on helical motion, converts the motor’s rotational movement into axial movement to extend and retract the claws, enabling the aircraft to perch. The head and tail motion module has a dual motor that enables the aircraft’s head and tail to move as flexibly as a bird’s. Kinematic models of the main functional modules are established and verified for accuracy. Functional experiments on the prototype show that it can perform all perching actions, demonstrating multi-modal motion capabilities and providing a foundation upon which to develop dynamics models and control methods for highly biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft with perching functionality.
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spelling doaj-art-ca1769cdb43e4bf69c57e8f1c906748a2025-08-20T02:55:36ZengMDPI AGBiomimetics2313-76732024-12-0191273610.3390/biomimetics9120736Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching FunctionalityWenyang Pu0Qiang Shen1Yuhang Yang2Yiming Lu3Yaojie Yan4School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaSchool of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, ChinaBirds use their claws to perch on branches, which helps them to recover energy and observe their surroundings; however, most biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft can only fly, not perch. This study was conducted on the basis of bionic principles to replicate birds’ claw and wing movements in order to design a highly biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft capable of perching. First, a posture conversion module with a multi-motor hemispherical gear structure allows the aircraft to flap, twist, swing, and transition between its folded and unfolded states. The perching module, based on helical motion, converts the motor’s rotational movement into axial movement to extend and retract the claws, enabling the aircraft to perch. The head and tail motion module has a dual motor that enables the aircraft’s head and tail to move as flexibly as a bird’s. Kinematic models of the main functional modules are established and verified for accuracy. Functional experiments on the prototype show that it can perform all perching actions, demonstrating multi-modal motion capabilities and providing a foundation upon which to develop dynamics models and control methods for highly biomimetic flapping-wing aircraft with perching functionality.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/736highly biomimeticflapping-wing aircraftperching functionkinematics model
spellingShingle Wenyang Pu
Qiang Shen
Yuhang Yang
Yiming Lu
Yaojie Yan
Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality
Biomimetics
highly biomimetic
flapping-wing aircraft
perching function
kinematics model
title Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality
title_full Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality
title_fullStr Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality
title_full_unstemmed Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality
title_short Structural Design and Kinematic Modeling of Highly Biomimetic Flapping-Wing Aircraft with Perching Functionality
title_sort structural design and kinematic modeling of highly biomimetic flapping wing aircraft with perching functionality
topic highly biomimetic
flapping-wing aircraft
perching function
kinematics model
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/736
work_keys_str_mv AT wenyangpu structuraldesignandkinematicmodelingofhighlybiomimeticflappingwingaircraftwithperchingfunctionality
AT qiangshen structuraldesignandkinematicmodelingofhighlybiomimeticflappingwingaircraftwithperchingfunctionality
AT yuhangyang structuraldesignandkinematicmodelingofhighlybiomimeticflappingwingaircraftwithperchingfunctionality
AT yiminglu structuraldesignandkinematicmodelingofhighlybiomimeticflappingwingaircraftwithperchingfunctionality
AT yaojieyan structuraldesignandkinematicmodelingofhighlybiomimeticflappingwingaircraftwithperchingfunctionality