Effect of flapping-wing kinematics on force generation

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of wing kinematics change on force generation produced by flapping wings. Design/methodology/approach - Forces produced by flapping wings are measured using a load cell and compared for the investigation. The measured forces are validated by estimation using an unsteady blade element theory. Findings - From the measurement and estimation, the authors found that flapping wings produced positive and negative lifts when the wings are attached with the +30 degrees and -30 degrees, respectively. Research limitations/implications - The authors quantified the characteristics of change in the force generation by flapping wings for three wing kinematics. The wing kinematics was modified by changing the initial wing attachment angle. Practical implications - The result may be applicable to design of control mechanism for an insectmimicking flapping- wing micro air vehicle, which has only wings without control surfaces at its tail. Social implications - The preliminary work may provide an insight for design strategy of flapping- wing micro air vehicles with compact and handy configurations, because they may perform controlled flight even without control surfaces at their tails. Originality/value - The work included here is the first attempt to quantify the force generation characteristics for different wing kinematics. The suggested way of wing kinematics change can provide a concept for control mechanism of a flapping- wing micro air vehicle.