Aerodynamics Force Analysis for Designing a Flapping Butterfly Robot Wing

Abstract

Flyable robots are always amazed human because its behavior. Designing a flapping wing robot is complex since wing aerodyanamics and aeroelastics have to be considered. In this research, wing section aerodynamics forces are explained. Several aerodynamic equations are derived and estimated in order to obtain lift and thrust forces that acted on each butterfly wing section. Average lift force over one flapping cycle is used to design the prototype butterfly robot wing structure and motion. Wing structure is designed based on the real butterfly wing dimension. Wing was made by a reinforced laminar plastic sheet in order to achieve wing's rigidity and properties of thin airfoil. Separated servo driven flapping mechanism is selected in this research due to its flexibility and performance. Finally, prototype butterfly wing is designed.