Bionic folding wings and cross-medium vehicles based on flexible material coating

Abstract

This invention discloses a biomimetic folding wing and a transmedium-based vehicle based on flexible material coating. The biomimetic folding wing includes a folding wing skeleton and a flexible coating membrane covering the skeleton. The folding wing skeleton includes multiple ribs and a rotation drive device. The roots of the multiple ribs are connected to the rotation drive device, which drives each rib to rotate and fold together or unfold into a fan shape. This invention features a lightweight, low-cost, simple structure with low space occupancy. It can be folded into the vehicle without affecting the smoothness of its surface profile, thus improving the vehicle's underwater drag performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model specifically relates to a biomimetic folding wing and a cross-medium vehicle based on flexible material coating. Background Technology

[0002] In existing transmedium air vehicles, fixed-wing configurations are generally used. The wings of transmedium air vehicles are usually stored by directly rotating the entire wing and placing it on both sides of the fuselage. This method affects the underwater drag performance of the air vehicle because of the presence of the wing, and the weight of the fixed wing itself accounts for a large proportion of the overall weight of the air vehicle.

[0003] Another type of multi-rotor cross-medium aircraft uses a similar rotor storage method, where the entire rotor is rotated to a fixed position. At the same time, the rotor's drag and lift are smaller than those of a fixed-wing cross-medium aircraft. Fixed wings can provide a higher lift-to-drag ratio in the air (typically 8 to 12), far exceeding flapping wings or multi-rotor structures (which typically have a lift-to-drag ratio of less than 4). However, they also have similar problems. In order to accommodate the multi-rotor, the size of the fuselage will be increased, resulting in greater underwater drag. In addition, their weight accounts for a large proportion of the overall weight of the aircraft. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a biomimetic folding wing and a cross-medium vehicle based on flexible material coating. The structure is lightweight, low-cost, simple, and has a low space occupancy rate. It can be folded into the vehicle without affecting the smoothness of its surface profile, thereby improving the vehicle's underwater drag performance.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is:

[0006] A biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating includes a folding wing skeleton and a flexible coating membrane covering the folding wing skeleton;

[0007] The folding wing frame includes multiple ribs and a rotation drive device. The base of the multiple ribs is connected to the rotation drive device, which is used to drive each frame to rotate and fold together or unfold into a fan shape.

[0008] Preferably, the rotary drive device includes a gear transmission assembly and a drive source, wherein the drive source is connected to the root of each bone material through the gear transmission assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the gear transmission assembly includes a gear post, and each core member has a drive gear connected to its root, with the gear post meshing with each drive gear.

[0010] Preferably, the multiple bones are the leading edge phalanges and multiple ribs, with the leading edge phalanges arranged at the foremost end of the biomimetic folding wing after unfolding.

[0011] Preferably, the number of ribs is 2-5.

[0012] Preferably, an L-shaped connecting rod and a swing rod are sequentially connected between the bone and the folding and rotating drive mechanism. One end of the L-shaped connecting rod is connected to the root of the bone, the other end of the L-shaped connecting rod is connected to one end of the swing rod, and the other end of the swing rod is connected to the folding and rotating drive mechanism.

[0013] Preferably, the cross-section of the skeleton is I-shaped, and it is an I-shaped skeleton.

[0014] A biomimetic folding-wing transmedium vehicle based on flexible material covering includes a fuselage and biomimetic folding wings based on flexible material covering arranged on both sides of the fuselage as described above.

[0015] Preferably, a ducted power unit is provided at the rear of the fuselage.

[0016] Preferably, storage slots are provided on both sides of the fuselage for storing the folded bionic folding wings. A locking mechanism is provided in the storage slots on the fuselage, and the locking mechanism is arranged on one side of the corresponding bionic folding wing.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] This invention uses a rotary drive device to rotate and fold each frame into a fan shape, which is a fixed wing configuration when fully unfolded. The flexible covering on its surface is supported by the frame, which can approximate a standard airfoil section. It provides lift through lift difference and has a greater drag-to-lift ratio than a rotor. Furthermore, this folding wing structure is lightweight, low-cost, simple in structure, and has a low space occupancy rate. It can be folded into the aircraft without affecting the smoothness of its surface profile, thereby improving the aircraft's drag performance underwater. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cross-medium vehicle in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the transmedium vehicle structure after the cover is removed in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the folding wing skeleton in the unfolded state in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the folding wing skeleton in the folded and closed state in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the folding wing skeleton in the semi-deployed state in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6This is a perspective view of the folding wing frame in the unfolded state in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: 10-Right folding wing frame, 11-Right leading edge finger bone, 12-Right first rib, 13-Right second rib, 14-Right third rib, 20-Left folding wing frame, 30-Right rotary drive unit, 31-Right gear column, 32-Right first drive gear, 33-Right second drive gear, 34-Right third drive gear, 35-Right fourth drive gear, 40-Left rotary drive unit, 50-Fuselage, 51-Right storage slot, 52-Left storage slot, 53-Right locking mechanism, 54-Left locking mechanism, 60-Ducted power unit, 70-Covering film, 71-Right covering film, 72-Left covering film. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that if terms such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection. They can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. They can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] A biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating, such as Figures 1-6 As shown, it includes a folding wing frame and a flexible covering membrane covering the folding wing frame, with the folding wing frame serving as the skeletal support for the covering membrane.

[0031] The folding wing frame includes multiple ribs and a rotation drive device. The base of the multiple ribs is connected to the rotation drive device, which is used to drive each frame to rotate and fold together or unfold into a fan shape.

[0032] Example 2

[0033] Based on Example 1, the rotary drive device is further defined, and the performance of Example 2 is even better after the definition is defined.

[0034] The rotary drive device includes a gear transmission assembly and a drive source, with the drive source connected to the root of each bone material via the gear transmission assembly.

[0035] Furthermore, the gear transmission assembly includes a gear post, and each core member has a drive gear connected to its root, with the gear post meshing with each drive gear.

[0036] Furthermore, the multiple bones are the leading edge phalanges and multiple ribs, with the leading edge phalanges positioned at the very front of the biomimetic folding wing after unfolding.

[0037] Furthermore, the number of ribs is 2-5.

[0038] Furthermore, there are three ribs, namely the first rib, the second rib, and the third rib, which are arranged in a fan shape when unfolded.

[0039] Furthermore, the ribs are widest in the middle, and the width gradually decreases towards the ends of the ribs. The outer ends of the ribs gradually become pointed, and the root of the ribs is a short, straight segment.

[0040] Furthermore, an L-shaped connecting rod and a swing rod are sequentially connected between the bone and the folding and rotating drive mechanism. One end of the L-shaped connecting rod is connected to the root of the bone, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting rod is perpendicularly connected to one end of the swing rod. The other end of the swing rod is connected to the corresponding gear of the folding and rotating drive mechanism.

[0041] Both vertical straight sections of the L-shaped connecting rod are perpendicular to the swing arm.

[0042] Furthermore, the cross-section of the skeleton is I-shaped, which reduces its own weight.

[0043] The "I"-shaped bone has three branches that are sequentially connected to the drive device of the left anterior phalanx, and the upper and lower surfaces of the "I"-shaped bone are part of the upper and lower surfaces of a standard wing section.

[0044] A biomimetic folding-wing transmedium vehicle based on flexible material covering includes a fuselage 50 and two biomimetic folding wings based on flexible material covering as described above, symmetrically arranged on both sides of the fuselage.

[0045] Furthermore, the folding wing frames on both sides of the fuselage are the left folding wing frame 20 and the right folding wing frame 10, respectively, and the covering films covering the left folding wing frame 20 and the right folding wing frame 10 are the left covering film 72 and the right covering film 70, respectively.

[0046] The left folding wing frame 20 includes a left rotation drive device 40 and left leading edge phalanges, left first rib, left second rib, and left third rib arranged in sequence; the drive gears connected to the left leading edge phalanges, left first rib, left second rib, and left third rib are left first drive gear, left second drive gear, left third drive gear, and left fourth drive gear, respectively; the tooth column of the left rotation drive device 40 is the left tooth column.

[0047] The right folding frame 10 includes a right rotation drive device 30 and right anterior phalanges 11, right first rib 12, right second rib 13, and right third rib 14 arranged sequentially; the drive gears corresponding to the right anterior phalanges 11, right first rib 12, right second rib 13, and right third rib 14 are right first drive gear 32, right second drive gear 33, right third drive gear 34, and right fourth drive gear 35, respectively; the tooth column of the right rotation drive device 30 is a right tooth column 31.

[0048] Furthermore, a ducted power unit 60 is provided at the rear of the fuselage.

[0049] Furthermore, there are two ducted power units 60, arranged symmetrically around the fuselage central axis.

[0050] Furthermore, storage slots are provided on both sides of the fuselage for storing the folded bionic folding wings. Locking mechanisms are provided in the storage slots of the fuselage. The locking mechanisms are arranged on one side of the bionic folding wings. The locking mechanisms on both sides are the left locking mechanism 54 and the right locking mechanism 53, which are respectively located on one side of the left folding wing frame 20 and the right folding frame 10. The storage slots on both sides are the left storage slot 52 and the right storage slot 51.

[0051] The locking mechanism can be a telescopic locking rod, used to lock and block the biomimetic folding wing covered with flexible material after folding and closing, preventing it from suddenly rotating outward and unfolding during operation.

[0052] The working principle of this utility model: Before describing the various embodiments of this application in detail, the technical concept of this application is first briefly described: The overall shape of the aircraft is a streamlined cylindrical shape, using two ducted power units 60 as the power source for water-to-air flight. The folding wing mimics the structure of a bat's wing, utilizing a skeleton formed by "I"-shaped ribs covered with flexible material to form a suitable airfoil, providing sufficient lift for the aircraft to fly in the air. When fully extended, the folding wing is a fixed wing structure; when retracted, a rotational drive device at the base of the ribs ensures that all ribs return to the storage slots on both sides of the aircraft at the same time, and the reasonable stacking of all the ribs maximizes the compression of the occupied space. After the folding wing is retracted, the closing mechanism of the storage slot opening closes to ensure the continuity of the aircraft's profile and reduce drag. The specific structure of the transmedium aircraft with a biomimetic folding wing mechanism of this application will be described below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0053] Specifically, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the biomimetic folding wing mechanism of this transmedia vehicle includes a right folding wing frame 10, a left folding wing frame 20, a right rotation drive device 30, a left rotation drive device 40, a fuselage 50, a ducted power unit 60, and a covering membrane 70.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the right folding wing frame 10 and the left folding wing frame 20 have the same structure, and the right folding wing frame 10 and the left folding wing frame 20 are symmetrical about the central axis of the fuselage 50. The right rotation drive device 30 and the left rotation drive device 40 have the same structure, and the right rotation drive device 30 and the left rotation drive device 40 are symmetrical about the central axis of the fuselage 50. The right folding wing frame 10 and the right rotation drive device 30 are described in detail below.

[0055] For example, the right folding wing frame 10 includes a right anterior phalanx 11, a right first rib 12, a right second rib 13, and a right third rib 14. These are rigidly fixed to the right first drive gear 32, right second drive gear 33, right third drive gear 34, and right fourth drive gear 35 in the right rotation drive device 30 and can rotate with the drive gears.

[0056] Among them, the right first rib 12, right second rib 13, and right third rib 14 have an "I"-shaped structure, and their upper and lower surfaces are part of the standard airfoil surface. The anterior surface of the right anterior phalanx 11 is also part of the standard airfoil anterior surface. The right covering membrane 71 is fixed to the surface of each bone material by screws. After the right anterior phalanx 11, right first rib 12, right second rib 13, and right third rib 14 are fully extended, the remaining part of the right covering membrane 71 naturally opens under force and approximately fits the standard airfoil surface.

[0057] For example, the right rotation drive device 30 includes a right first drive gear 32, a right second drive gear 33, a right third drive gear 34, a right fourth drive gear 35, and a right gear post 31.

[0058] Among them, the right first drive gear 32, right second drive gear 33, right third drive gear 34, and right fourth drive gear 35 are four gears with different diameters and extension rods of different lengths. Their dimensions are determined by the position of the corresponding skeleton. The right gear spur 31 meshes with the right first drive gear 32, right second drive gear 33, right third drive gear 34, and right fourth drive gear 35 at different heights, providing rotational torque to drive the gears to rotate.

[0059] Combination Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 The following section further explains the folding and unfolding processes of the biomimetic aircraft:

[0060] Folding process: The right locking mechanism 53 is released, and the right gear column 31 rotates, driving the right first drive gear 32, right second drive gear 33, right third drive gear 34 and right fourth drive gear 35 to rotate. Due to the different sizes of the gears, the rotational angular velocity of each gear is different. As a result, the right front edge finger bone 11, right first rib 12, right second rib 13 and right third rib 14 rotate clockwise from their fully unfolded positions toward the body 50 at different angular velocities, and finally fold into the right storage slot 51 at the same time.

[0061] Unfolding process: The rotation of the right gear 31 drives the rotation of the right first drive gear 32, right second drive gear 33, right third drive gear 34 and right fourth drive gear 35. Due to the different sizes of the gears, the rotational angular velocity of each gear is different. Consequently, the right anterior finger bone 11, right first rib 12, right second rib 13 and right third rib 14 rotate counterclockwise from the position of the right storage slot 51 at different angular velocities. Finally, they reach the fully unfolded position at the same time and are fixed by the right locking mechanism 53.

[0062] It should be noted that, as is understood, a complete transmedium vehicle with a flexible biomimetic folding wing mechanism should also have other necessary basic components, but these other components are not the focus of this embodiment and are therefore not shown in the figures or described in detail in the specification.

[0063] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0064] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating, characterized in that: Includes a folding wing frame and a flexible covering membrane covering the folding wing frame; The folding wing frame includes multiple ribs and a rotation drive device. The base of the multiple ribs is connected to the rotation drive device, which is used to drive each frame to rotate and fold together or unfold into a fan shape.

2. The biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The rotary drive device includes a gear transmission assembly and a drive source, with the drive source connected to the root of each bone material via the gear transmission assembly.

3. The biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The gear transmission assembly includes a gear post, and each member has a drive gear connected to its root. The gear post meshes with each drive gear.

4. The biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple bone materials consist of the leading edge phalanges and multiple ribs, with the leading edge phalanges positioned at the very front of the biomimetic folding wing after unfolding.

5. The biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The number of ribs is 2-5.

6. The biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: An L-shaped connecting rod and a swing rod are connected sequentially between the bone and the folding and rotating drive mechanism. One end of the L-shaped connecting rod is connected to the root of the bone, and the other end of the L-shaped connecting rod is connected to one end of the swing rod. The other end of the swing rod is connected to the folding and rotating drive mechanism.

7. The biomimetic folding wing based on flexible material coating as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the skeleton is I-shaped.

8. A biomimetic folding-wing transmedium vehicle based on flexible material coating, characterized in that: Includes a fuselage (50) and biomimetic folding wings based on flexible material covering as described in any one of claims 1-7, arranged on both sides of the fuselage.

9. The biomimetic folding wing transmedium vehicle based on flexible material coating as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The fuselage is equipped with a ducted power unit at the rear.

10. The biomimetic folding wing transmedium vehicle based on flexible material coating as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The fuselage has storage slots on both sides for storing the folded bionic folding wings. The fuselage is equipped with a locking mechanism, which is located on one side of the bionic folding wing.

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