A Bionic Fish Propulsive Mechanism with Caudal Fin Oscillating in Variable Direction Based on Linear Hypocycloid

10.6567/IFToMM.14TH.WC.OS1.005

Shu-Yan Wang；Zhujun；Xin-guo Wang；Qinfeng Li

Linear hypocycloid ； Caudal fin ； Spatial linkage ； Flapping ； Oscillating

Proceedings of the 14th IFToMM World Congress

14th-1（2015 / 10 / 23）

28 - 32

英文

The caudal fin oscillating is the most effective motion mode in aquatic swimmers, which is also identified as the ultimate design aim of underwater vehicles propulsive mechanism. The tuna is oscillating its caudal fin in horizontal plane, but the dolphin is flapping in vertical plane, and both of them would produce power to forward. Actually, the direction of reciprocating motion and the direction of the caudal fin could also work for turning and up-down. In this paper, a bionic fish propulsive mechanism is developed, which can realize the caudal fin oscillating in any direction via a certain combination of a spatial linkage and a special planetary gear transmission. The design, construction and motion of the mechanism based on linear hypocycloid generating desired kinematics for bionic fish with tail oscillating in variable direction is presented in detail.