Hovering Toy Creature Wing Actuation for Realistic Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote-controlled winged toy creatures are unstable and lack realistic flight simulation due to their ornithopter-style flapping assemblies, which appear mechanical and awkward in flight.
Innovation Solution
A hovering toy creature design featuring a wing actuation assembly with a first and second spine that mimics the movement of Chiropteran wings, creating a flex zone for a more realistic flapping motion, combined with a propulsion system and control system for stable flight and remote control operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ornithopter-style flapping assemblies are used to create lift and flight, then the toy creature can achieve flight capability, but the flight simulation appears mechanical and awkward rather than realistic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wing structure flexible rather than rigid. The wing includes a flexible membrane that can deform during flapping motion, allowing it to adapt its shape dynamically. This flexibility enables the wing to achieve both the aerodynamic functionality needed for flight and the natural, organic motion patterns that create realistic flight simulation, resolving the contradiction between mechanical appearance and realistic motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible shells and thin films by employing a flexible membrane as the wing structure. This thin film material allows the wing to bend and deform naturally during flapping, creating organic motion patterns that mimic real bird or insect flight. The flexible membrane replaces rigid mechanical components, eliminating the mechanical appearance while maintaining flight capability through aerodynamic lift generation.
2Reliability
If rapidly flapping wings are used to generate lift, then flight capability is achieved, but the toy creature becomes unstable and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a flexible wing structure that can adapt its shape during flapping motion. This dynamic flexibility allows the wing to optimize its aerodynamic performance across different phases of the flapping cycle, generating more consistent lift forces. The adaptive shape changes help stabilize the toy creature during flight by smoothing out aerodynamic variations, thereby improving flight stability while maintaining flight capability.
3Strength
If rigid wing structures are used for flight, then structural strength is maintained, but the flapping motion appears mechanical and unrealistic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells and thin films by using a flexible membrane for the wing structure. This membrane is designed to be sufficiently strong to withstand flight loads while remaining flexible enough to deform naturally during flapping motion. The flexible membrane replaces rigid structures, enabling organic, realistic flapping motion while maintaining the structural strength necessary for sustained flight through proper material selection and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining the flexible membrane with supporting framework elements. This composite structure provides the necessary structural strength to support flight loads while allowing the membrane portion to deform flexibly during flapping. The composite construction enables the wing to exhibit both strength and flexibility, achieving realistic motion patterns without sacrificing structural integrity.
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 design enhances the realism of flight by producing a 'bouncing' effect and improved aerodynamics, making the toy creature appear more life-like during flight, while maintaining stability and maneuverability.
Implementation Method 1
The propulsion system comprises any one of a number of known remote controlled, propeller driven lift units
Implementation Method 2
The wings are configured either with or without apertures that enable the passage of air through the wings. In effect, the apertures remove surface area from the wings, thus reducing the aerodynamic forces generated by the wings during the flapping motion
Data Source
AI summary
A hovering toy creature having a propulsion system, a control system, a winged body, and a wing actuation assembly. The winged body is mounted to the propulsion system, which is controlled by the control system. The wing actuation assembly is mounted to the winged body, and the wing actuation assembly is powered by the control system. The wing actuation assembly drives the wings in an oscillating flapping motion. The wings comprise apertures permitting air passage through the wing, thus reducing the aerodynamic effect of the flapping motion. In this manner, the wings produce a “bouncing” flight action, thus creating a realistic flight motion. In another embodiment, the propulsion system comprises one or more rotors in a coaxial arrangement. The hovering toy creature is operated by either a wireless control device or a timer device.