Robotic Bird With 11-DoF Morphing Wings for Efficient Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flapping-wing robotic devices are limited by simple mechanisms that restrict efficiency, maneuverability, and capabilities, with most focusing on small sizes and lacking advanced control systems for realistic bird-like flight.
Innovation Solution
A robotic bird design featuring wings and a tail with four and three degrees of freedom respectively, controlled by multiple motors for real-time motion adjustments, allowing for efficient flight and easy replacement of damaged components, and utilizing evolutionary methods for flight pattern generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple free running mechanisms are used for wing movement, then device complexity is reduced, but flight efficiency and maneuverability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of wing movements through multiple motors that independently adjust flapping angle, flapping speed, and wing morphology in real-time. This allows the robotic bird to adapt its flight characteristics dynamically, resolving the contradiction by replacing static simple mechanisms with dynamic controllable systems that maintain reasonable complexity while dramatically improving flight efficiency and maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including flapping angle, flapping frequency, wing area, and wing shape to optimize flight performance. By controlling these parameters through evolutionary algorithms and real-time adjustment, the patent achieves high flight efficiency without requiring overly complex mechanical structures, as the control system optimizes performance through parameter variation rather than mechanical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors control wing and tail movements, then maneuverability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs evolutionary algorithms that serve multiple functions: optimizing flight patterns, coordinating multiple motor actions, and adapting to different flight conditions. This universal control approach allows the system to manage the complexity of multiple motors and achieve superior maneuverability without requiring separate specialized control systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic bird uses onboard evolutionary algorithms and sensors to autonomously optimize its own flight patterns and coordinate its multiple actuators. This self-service capability reduces the need for external complex control systems, allowing the device to manage its own maneuverability while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through autonomous decision-making.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wings are designed as controllable flexible structures, then flight capabilities are improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wing structure into modular segments that can be independently controlled and replaced. The wings are designed as assemblies of discrete components including primary feathers, secondary feathers, and structural elements that can be detached and replaced without affecting the entire wing assembly. This segmentation maintains the complex controllable flexible structure for flight capabilities while enabling easy replacement of damaged portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to allow quick replacement of damaged wing components in the field. Rather than requiring complex repair procedures, the patent enables discarding damaged modular wing sections and recovering the functional system by installing replacement components, thus maintaining high flight capabilities while improving ease of repair through a replaceable modular architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The robotic bird achieves efficient flight and maneuverability with reduced noise, enabling stealthy surveillance and adaptable operation in various weather conditions, and can be easily maintained or repaired by replacing damaged wings and tail feathers.
Implementation Method 1
The invention provides a robotic bird that uses flapping flight for lift and propulsion
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a robotic bird that uses flapping flight for lift and propulsion. The bird has a body, two wings, tail and head with a beak in addition to on-board electronics and batteries. Each wing is controlled separately by four motors. One motor controls the flapping, one the angle of attack (wing tilt), one the degree of morphing and folding of5the wing and one the horizontal motion of the wing. The tail is controlled by three servomotors, one for up and down motion, one for tilting and one for spreading the tail feathers. Thus, the bird has 11 degrees of freedom in total in its wings and tail. This design allows the use of evolutionary methods for teaching the bird to fly in a much more efficient way than has previously been possible.