journal article·2025-05-11Open access

Development of a Dragonfly-Inspired High Aerodynamic Force Flapping-Wing Mechanism Using Asymmetric Wing Flapping Motion

Jinze Liang, Mengzong Zheng, Tianyu Pan, Guanting Su, Yuanjun Deng, Mengda Cao, Qiushi Li

Biomimetics· Volume 10· Issue 5

Abstract

Bionic micro air vehicles are currently being popularized for military as well as civilian use and dragonflies display a wealth of skill in their remarkable flight capabilities. This study designs an asymmetric motion flapping-wing mechanism inspired by the dragonfly, using a single actuator to achieve the coupling of stroke and pitch motion. This study simulates the motion of the dragonfly’s wings using the designed mechanism and experimentally validates the motion laws and aerodynamic characteristics of the mechanism. The analysis focuses on the asymmetry in the wing’s stroke and pitch motion and their aerodynamic implications. The flapping-wing mechanism accurately replicates the wing motion of a real dragonfly in flight, and the maximum lift-to-weight ratio can reach up to 230.2%, demonstrating significant aerodynamic benefits. This mechanism provides valuable guidance for the structural design and kinematic control of future flapping-wing vehicles.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms · Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems · Fish Ecology and Management Studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Research Institute of Aero-Engine, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero-Engine Aero-thermodynamics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

Beihang (Sichuan) Western International Innovation Port Technology Co., Ltd., Chengdu 610299, China

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

Key Laboratory of Fluid and Power Machinery, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China

Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Air-Ground Integration Vehicle and Control, Ministry of Education, Xihua University, Chengdu 610039, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · National Key Research and Development Program of China · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China, the Beijing Nova Program of China · National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero-Engine Aero-thermodynamics · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

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