Design and implementation of a bio-inspired flapping-wing aircraft jumping mechanism for autonomous take-off

Abstract This paper presents a design scheme for a bionic jumping take-off flapping-wing aircraft. By mimicking the mechanical mechanism of bird jumping, this scheme enables the autonomous take-off of the aircraft. The aircraft features a skeletal structure that combines a lightweight carbon fiber frame with 3D-printed nylon components. It has a wingspan of 1.2 meters and an overall weight of 0.172 kilograms. The flapping motion of the wings is driven by high-torque servos. The jumping mechanism uses a torsion spring as an energy storage element, and the instantaneous energy release is achieved through servo control. To verify the effectiveness of the jumping take-off, high-platform jumping and high-platform jumping take-off experiments were designed. The experimental results show that when the wings are at the Lower Flapping Limit Position (LFLP) and the take-off ramp is inclined downward by 24 degrees, the aircraft can successfully jump and take off from a 4-meter-high ramp and achieve stable flight over a distance of more than 15 meters. This study reveals the crucial role of the flapping-wing attitude (especially the forward tilt angle of the fuselage) in the conversion of initial kinetic energy and its relationship with the take-off ability. Compared with the traditional horizontal take-off method, this design significantly reduces the space required for take-off, providing an effective solution for the autonomous take-off of small flapping-wing aircraft in complex environments.