Dynamics of a Microflight Mechanism With Magnetic Rotational Wings in an Alternating Magnetic Field


 

Dynamics of a three-dimensionally movable microflight mechanism were analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The microflight mechanism is composed of magnetic rotational wings that rotate and generate thrust in an alternating magnetic field and a body with magnetic anisotropy that contributes to attitude control. The device consisted of 2.5-mm-long wings weighing 3.5 mg which were fabricated with MEMS technology. A wing rotational frequency of 500 Hz provided enough thrust for liftoff. Experimental data obtained through high-speed camera images showgood agreement with theory and also quantify the magnetic anisotropy of the microflight mechanism, which cannot be estimated theoretically. Simultaneous actuation and attitude control by an external magnetic field presented herein, which culminated in simplification and small weight of the device and thus the successful flight, is applicable to other MEMS devices.

References :
Norihisa Miki, Isao Shimoyama, “A Micro-Flight Mechanism with Rotational Wings, 13th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems,” 13th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS '00), pp. 158-163, Miyazaki, Japan, Jan. 23-27, 2000. [Proceedings]

Norihisa Miki, Isao Shimoyama, “An Attitude Control of a Micro-Flight Mechanism with Rotational Wings,” 14th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS '01), pp. 602-605, Interlaken, Switzerland, Jan. 21-25, 2001. [Proceedings]

Norihisa Miki, Isao Shimoyama, “Dynamics of a Microflight Mechanism with Magnetic Rotational Wings in an Alternating Magnetic Field,” Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 584-591, 2002. [Paper]

Norihisa Miki, Isao Shimoyama, “Soft-Magnetic Rotational Microwings in an Alternating Magnetic Field Applicable to Microflight Mechanisms,” Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 221-227, 2003. [Paper]