Numerical analysis of insect flight maneuverability using feedback control model

Abstract

In this study, we propose a new feedback control model for insect flight maneuverability, and conduct the numerical analysis using the proposed model. In the proposed model, the feedback control based on the observation for actual insects is introduced to the partitioned analysis model for the wing-body interaction, where the flapping wings and the surrounding air flow coupling is monolithically formulated using a finite element method such that the wing’s characteristic motions are simulated stably, while the one-way coupling from the wings to the body is used assuming a perturbation from the quasi-steady flight state. The roll control, on which we focus here, in our numerical result shows the good agreement with the body’s attitude control of an actual insect observed in the previous experiment. In our future work, we will elucidate a maneuverability mechanism of controlling body’s attitudes in insect flapping flight using the proposed model.