A novel piezo-actuated flapping mechanism based on inertia drive. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yangkun; Peng, Yuxin; Cheng, Yang; Yu, Haoyong
• Is Part Of: Journal of intelligent material systems and structures. Volume 31:Number 15(2020)
• Page Start: 1782
• Page End: 1792
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Flapping actuation mechanism -- unlimited stroke -- arbitrary form of flapping motion -- piezo-actuator -- inertia drive; Smart materials -- Periodicals; Intelligent control systems -- Periodicals; Artificial intelligence -- Periodicals; Matériaux intelligents -- Périodiques; Commande intelligente -- Périodiques; Intelligence artificielle -- Périodiques; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1177/1045389X20935624
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-389X

Abstract

In this article, a novel piezo-actuated flapping mechanism based on inertia drive is proposed and developed. In comparison with the existing flapping mechanisms, the proposed one has a more direct driving form simply via a frictional contact without using any transmission mechanism like crank-rocker or crank-slider, making it easier for miniaturization. In addition, it could principally allow for an arbitrary form of flapping motion with unlimited stroke. The flapping principle and the rationale for an arbitrary form of flapping motion with unlimited stroke are presented. A prototype of the proposed flapping mechanism was constructed and tested. The ability in various modulations of flapping motion, including flapping amplitude, position, asymmetry between downstroke and upstroke flapping speeds, and frequency, is demonstrated.