Title
Toward a Dielectric Elastomer Resonator Driven Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle.
Abstract
In the last two decades, insect-inspired flapping wing micro air vehicles (MAVs) have attracted great attention for their potential for highly agile flight. Insects flap their wings at the resonant frequencies of their flapping mechanisms. Resonant actuation is highly advantageous as it amplifies the flapping amplitude and reduces the inertial power demand. Emerging soft actuators, such as dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have large actuation strains and thanks to their inherent elasticity, DEAs have been shown a promising candidate for resonant actuation. In this work a double cone DEA configuration is presented, a mathematic model is developed to characterize its quasi-static and dynamic performance. We compare the high frequency performance of two most common dielectric elastomers: silicone elastomer and polyacrylate tape VHB. The mechanical power output of the DEA is experimentally analyzed as a DEA-mass oscillator. Then a flapping wing mechanism actuated by this elastic actuator is demonstrated, this design is able to provide a peak flapping amplitude of 63 degrees at the frequency of 18 Hz.
Year
DOI
Venue
2019
10.3389/frobt.2018.00137
FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI
Keywords
Field
DocType
flying robots,bio-inspired robotics,insect flight,electro-active polymer,dielectric elastomer actuator,resonance
Oscillation,Dielectric,Computer science,Simulation,Resonator,Dielectric elastomers,Acoustics,Mechanical energy,Micro air vehicle,Flapping,Actuator
Journal
Volume
ISSN
Citations 
5.0
2296-9144
0
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.34
4
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Chongjing Cao100.34
Stuart C. Burgess294.93
Andrew T. Conn3128.88