啄木鳥敲擊機構隔震之仿生研究與應用

Abstract

在工程界，“解決問題”是工程這個名詞存在的意義，任何有關工程與研究的行為都是在解決現有的問題，而有一部份的工程，是從生物界中尋找解決問題的元素，啄木鳥的隔震效果研究就是其中之一。先前的研究顯示啄木鳥在啄木頭時是以6-7m/s的速度撞擊木頭，喙部受到高達1000g的減速度，但是腦部卻不會因此而受損，因此研究其腦部隔震功效是非常引人入勝的。 本研究延續了2013年蔡昇達學長的論文：啄木鳥頭部隔震效果之仿生研究，引用其頭部模型設計，由於先前的模擬只完成了數值上看到的分析運動模式，我們於本研究中將整體頭部模型用工程繪圖軟體繪製出來，並將其利用機構模擬軟體模擬成實體動畫並做參數最佳化研究，發現將腦脊髓液阻尼係數調整至26.041Ns/m，我們得到可以將原本承受的加速度降至36.7%。 先前的研究著重於啄木鳥頭部結構作力學分析，本研究將頭部結構與啄木鳥身體敲擊機構作成完整的啄木鳥敲擊模型，觀察安裝上頭部避震結構之後發現，當 小於 時，某些參數設定的情況下，腦部的加速度可減少56.7%左右，而在此範圍，最差的避震效果也有36%。 而在應用方面，我們考慮將獲得的技術使用於工地中的混凝土粉碎機(Demolition Hammer)，以減少長期使用造成的職業傷害，因此我們將混凝土粉碎機作為實驗對象，實際量測其工作過程中，機器本身與操作者手臂所受到的振盪加速度值，並建立仿真模型作為優化工具。除此之外，分析出研究成功後的經濟效益，發現確實有必要去做改良，而經過仿真模擬後發現，機器本身的受力模式與啄木鳥的頭部有類似之處，反而與前端鑿刀受到水泥的反彈力無關，因此將應用啄木鳥的避震機制，期望可以達到降低傷害的效果。

“Problem solving” is the key to the world of engineering, any activities related to engineering and research studies are forms of problem solving. For one area of engineering, engineers focus on seeking solutions in the biological world around us, take this report on the woodpecker as an example. According to previous studies, we had discovered an amazing aspect on the cushioning effect induced by the woodpecker’s head. When a woodpecker pecks wood, its beak comes in contact with the branch at an approximate speed of 6-7m/s, its head experiences a deceleration of as high as 1000g, however, this does not cause any damage to the brain. This discovery had truly marveled the engineering world. This research was an extension of the report done by my senior, Tsai Sheng Da: Mechanical Analysis of Alleviating Impact by Bionics of Woodpecker. Referencing to his model of the woodpecker’s head, which had only accomplished numerical analysis of the woodpecker’s motion, we made use of multiple software to visually construct a model of the woodpecker’s head. In addition, we had built upon the previous model to achieve more accurate statistics which stated that the cerebrospinal fluid present in the woodpecker’s brain could adjust the damping coefficient to 26.041Ns/m, reducing the original deceleration by a total of 36.7%. Previous studies focused on force analysis of the woodpecker’s head, our research made use of the model combining both the woodpecker’s head and its body during the process of pecking. Through observing the head equipped with damping structure, when was lower than 20 Ns/m, under specific constants, deceleration experienced by the brain could be reduced by approximately 56.7%. Within this range, the worst damping effect could be as good as 36%. For application aspect, we had applied the achieved technic in demolition hammers used in construction sites. This could minimize the long term harmful effects experienced by the operators. Thus, we had obtained vibrational acceleration statistics of both the machine and the operators’ arms during the construction process and modeled tools which could damp the motions. Furthermore, after analyzing the economic benefits, we concluded that application of the model is indeed crucial. After simulations, we realized the similarities of the reaction force models between demolition hammers and the woodpecker’s head, which had no relation to the rebounding force on the chisel in front of the hammer when it came into contact with the ground. In conclusion, we hope that the damping model of the woodpecker could achieve effective result of reducing the occupational injuries.