227 Aerodynamic Stability of a Badminton Shuttlecock Just after Impact

Abstract

A badminton shuttlecock generates significant aerodynamic drag and has a complex flight trajectory. The objectives of this study were to measure the aerodynamic properties of feather shuttlecocks under a wide range of wind speeds and to investigate the aerodynamic stability for the pitch movement (rotation about lateral axis). In particular, measurements of aerodynamic forces were performed at high Reynolds numbers. The lift and drag characteristics of shuttlecock have the same tendency with and without spin rotation. On the other hand, the pitching moment coefficient is affected by spin rotation. The pitching moment for a rotating shuttlecock is larger than that for a non-rotating shuttlecock. Furthermore, a shuttlecock is aerodynamically stable for the pitch movement just after impact. It was confirmed that the aerodynamic stability of a badminton shuttlecock is related to the gaps between the slots located at the leg portion and the feather of shuttlecock skirt.