K19100 ハイスピードカメラを用いた昆虫の翅の展開・収納挙動の解析と展開構造物への応用([K19100],宇宙工学部門)

Abstract

Artful wing folding of insects has attracted the interest of aerospace engineering scientists as well as entomologists. Foldable hindwings are the ultimate deployable structures. They have sufficient strength and stiffness to tolerate 20-1000 beats per second in the flight position, although they can be folded and unfolded instantly depending on the situation. Entomologists point out that insect wings can be classified into the following two groups based on structural characteristics: folding-stable type and unfolding-stable type. In each group, the movement toward a stable point is easy to achieve because it can be triggered by a small force and progresses automatically by elastic force. Naturally, problems are observed mainly in reverse-directed movements that require a larger force to cross the peak of elastic energy. Some insects address these problems by unique and somewhat heavy-handed methods. Despite large potential for engineering application, few studies have been undertaken to reveal these characteristic movements. This study used a high-speed camera to observe the folding and unfolding movements of some beetles. The revealed folding/unfolding mechanisms can achieve not only highly compact wing storage but also immediate deployment/folding. They offer significant potential for space deployable structures.