Mechanical Modelling of a Multi-Layer Parallel Pre-Compressed MFC Bimorph Morphing Wing

This paper proposes a cantilevered multi-layer parallel morphing wing based on Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) for Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV). Based on the three-dimensional homogenization parameters of the MFC material, a large deformation mechanical model of the MFC Pre-compressed Bimorph Actuator (MFC-PBA) and the morphing wing were developed using the finite element method (FEM). FEM results show that in the case of the driving voltages of -500 V/1500 V, 18 N and 27 N axial compression force respectively applied to the two side bimorphs and the middle bimorph, the free displacement and blocked force of the morphing wing achieved 26.22 mm and 1.59 N, respectively. The free displacement magnified by two times compared with that in the case without axial force, while the blocking force remains the same. Thus, the design space has been increased by two times.