Novel Flapping-Wing Micro Aerial Vehicles Utilising Dynamic Amplification

This paper introduces a novel design for flapping wing micro aerial vehicles (FWMAVs) that employs dynamic amplification. By utilising mechanical resonance, the design amplifies wing stroke and pitching motions, reducing the energy requirement while enhancing lift production. This approach also minimises the maximum strain on the actuator, thereby improving its structural integrity. A comprehensive mathematical model of the flapping mechanism is developed, incorporating the electromechanical characteristics of piezoelectric materials, nonlinear structural dynamics and aerodynamics. Numerical simulations using MATLAB and Simulink demonstrate the advantages of dynamic amplification, showing a significant improvement in lift generation compared to rigidly structured flapping systems. Using a practical actuator and wing setup, the model predicts a stroke angle of 45 °, a pitching angle of 67 °, a lift generation of 28.4 mN, and average input and output powers of 6.7 mW and 2.9 mW, respectively. This design approach offers a promising pathway for developing high-performance FWMAVs, with potential applications in autonomous flight operations.