Recent advancements in flapping mechanism and wing design of micro aerial vehicles

Abstract

Recent studies on understanding of natural flyers have encouraged researchers in development of micro aerial vehicles mimicking birds and insects such as hummingbirds, dragonflies, bats and many more. The vehicles find their applications in reconnaissance and situational awareness in combat field, search and rescue operations, biological and nuclear compromised sites and broadcasting and sports. The focus of this review is to assess recent progress in sub systems of these vehicles including drive mechanisms, actuation mechanisms and wing designs that define the aerodynamics, propulsion, stability, and control of the vehicles. Limited research has been carried out on drive mechanisms capable of producing figure-of-eight wingtip motion contrary to conventional four and five-bar linkage mechanisms along with modified planar and spherical attachments. Motor and piezoelectric actuation mechanisms are being used extensively in these vehicles due to lightweight and power efficiency as compared to non-conventional power sources. Wing shape and rigidity plays a key role in determining the required lift and thrust along with frequency limitations and material constraints. A relatively new field of structural and kinematic optimization for the development of a lightweight flapping vehicle with high endurance capability is also a part of this review. This review has pointed out the research gaps including 3-DoF piezoelectric kinematics, under-actuated mechanisms, structural contact analysis, limited static and dynamic structural analysis, limited fatigue analysis and development of optimization techniques.