Effect of rotation around the major axis of a badminton shuttlecock on aerodynamic characteristics

Abstract

Badminton shuttlecocks rotate counter-clockwise (forward rotation) about the major axis in flight (autorotation) as viewed from downstream because of a skirt structure having a diverging array of stems with overlapping feathers. It is known that the shuttlecock has high deceleration characteristics and a high aerodynamic stability during flight. The effect of spin speed on aerodynamic drag of the shuttlecock has not been clarified yet. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of spin on the aerodynamic characteristics of a shuttlecock. In this study, wind tunnel experiments were carried out in a low-turbulence wind tunnel. The test model was the YONEX feather shuttlecock (NEW OFFICIAL, No.4, YONEX Co. Ltd.). The fluid force measurements and smoke flow visualization were conducted by changing the rotational speed and the rotational direction of a shuttlecock using a DC motor. During revers rotation, the drag coefficient increases with increasing the spin speed. The drag for the shuttlecock with spin is affected by rotational direction.