Drones with flexible wings of the bat

The wings of conventional aircraft have a rigid structure. They are great for use outdoors, but can not withstand collisions with obstacles such as walls or tree branches. Helicopter propellers are also not protected from shocks. Inspired by nature, scientists have created a mechanical wing with flexible wing of a bat, resistant to collisions during the flight.

A mechanical solution to a technical problem proposed by scientists from Stanford University. The study was published in the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics.

The authors of the study asked the question: how to ensure the safety of the drone near trees? Sensor system for obstacle avoidance has no effect when the drone is moving at high speed. Then they offered to touch obstacles that cannot be bypassed. To do this, staff had to learn to fold up their wings, and then spread, as it does, for example, a bat.





Researchers have created a miniature robot with a wingspan of about 40 inches, then removed his flight at different speeds in the video. During testing, the flying car has blocked the way for the metal rod. The collision of the wing was bent, and then stretched to full length.

Swivel design allows the wings to fold in a collision with a solid object. However, because the wing takes its normal straightened shape. Unlike motorized systems, this provides a passive folding of the wing and does not require the use of any motors, batteries or controllers.

For small UAVs is very important, the compactness, the ability to get rid of unnecessary components is always a plus. The financing study is being undertaken by the Office of research of the U.S. Navy. On the ship there is never a lot of space, so it's understandable why the military needed an aircraft with folding wings. published

Source: hi-news.ru