Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight

In recent years, bioinspired insect flight has become a prominent research area, with a particular focus on beetle-inspired aerial vehicles. Studying the unique flight mechanisms and structural characteristics of beetles has significant implications for the optimization of biomimetic flying devices....

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Main Authors: Huan Shen, Kai Cao, Chao Liu, Zhiyuan Mao, Qian Li, Qingfei Han, Yi Sun, Zhikang Yang, Youzhi Xu, Shutao Wu, Jiajun Xu, Aihong Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Biomimetics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/777
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author Huan Shen
Kai Cao
Chao Liu
Zhiyuan Mao
Qian Li
Qingfei Han
Yi Sun
Zhikang Yang
Youzhi Xu
Shutao Wu
Jiajun Xu
Aihong Ji
author_facet Huan Shen
Kai Cao
Chao Liu
Zhiyuan Mao
Qian Li
Qingfei Han
Yi Sun
Zhikang Yang
Youzhi Xu
Shutao Wu
Jiajun Xu
Aihong Ji
author_sort Huan Shen
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, bioinspired insect flight has become a prominent research area, with a particular focus on beetle-inspired aerial vehicles. Studying the unique flight mechanisms and structural characteristics of beetles has significant implications for the optimization of biomimetic flying devices. Among beetles, <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> (rhinoceros beetle) exhibits a distinct wing deployment–flight–retraction sequence, whereby the interaction between the hindwings and protective elytra contributes to lift generation and maintenance. This study investigates <i>A. dichotoma’s</i> wing deployment, flight, and retraction behaviors through motion analysis, uncovering the critical role of the elytra in wing folding. We capture the kinematic parameters throughout the entire flight process and develop an accurate kinematic model of <i>A. dichotoma</i> flight. Using smoke visualization, we analyze the flow field generated during flight, revealing the formation of enhanced leading-edge vortices and attached vortices during both upstroke and downstroke phases. These findings uncover the high-lift mechanism underlying <i>A. dichotoma</i>’s flight dynamics, offering valuable insights for optimizing beetle-inspired micro aerial vehicles.
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spelling doaj-art-e59233627de2453e8c1865b2d3bfbddc2024-12-27T14:13:32ZengMDPI AGBiomimetics2313-76732024-12-0191277710.3390/biomimetics9120777Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> FlightHuan Shen0Kai Cao1Chao Liu2Zhiyuan Mao3Qian Li4Qingfei Han5Yi Sun6Zhikang Yang7Youzhi Xu8Shutao Wu9Jiajun Xu10Aihong Ji11Lab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaSchool of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Soochow University, No. 8, Jixue Road, Suzhou 215131, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaCollege of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaLab of Locomotion Bioinspiration and Intelligent Robots, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, ChinaIn recent years, bioinspired insect flight has become a prominent research area, with a particular focus on beetle-inspired aerial vehicles. Studying the unique flight mechanisms and structural characteristics of beetles has significant implications for the optimization of biomimetic flying devices. Among beetles, <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> (rhinoceros beetle) exhibits a distinct wing deployment–flight–retraction sequence, whereby the interaction between the hindwings and protective elytra contributes to lift generation and maintenance. This study investigates <i>A. dichotoma’s</i> wing deployment, flight, and retraction behaviors through motion analysis, uncovering the critical role of the elytra in wing folding. We capture the kinematic parameters throughout the entire flight process and develop an accurate kinematic model of <i>A. dichotoma</i> flight. Using smoke visualization, we analyze the flow field generated during flight, revealing the formation of enhanced leading-edge vortices and attached vortices during both upstroke and downstroke phases. These findings uncover the high-lift mechanism underlying <i>A. dichotoma</i>’s flight dynamics, offering valuable insights for optimizing beetle-inspired micro aerial vehicles.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/777<i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> flightwing deploymentflapping kinematicsflow field visualizationcomputational fluid dynamics
spellingShingle Huan Shen
Kai Cao
Chao Liu
Zhiyuan Mao
Qian Li
Qingfei Han
Yi Sun
Zhikang Yang
Youzhi Xu
Shutao Wu
Jiajun Xu
Aihong Ji
Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight
Biomimetics
<i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> flight
wing deployment
flapping kinematics
flow field visualization
computational fluid dynamics
title Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight
title_full Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight
title_fullStr Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight
title_full_unstemmed Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight
title_short Kinematics and Flow Field Analysis of <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> Flight
title_sort kinematics and flow field analysis of i allomyrina dichotoma i flight
topic <i>Allomyrina dichotoma</i> flight
wing deployment
flapping kinematics
flow field visualization
computational fluid dynamics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/9/12/777
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