Highlights: (1) Fluid dynamics and CFD were combined to investigate the flow state in the tibia-metatarsus joint. (2) The mechanism of flow inside the leg was analysed. (3) A bio-inspired hydraulic system was devised based on the flow path of haemolymph in the channel obtained from simulations.

To improve the system reliability and reduce the shift shock of Automated Mechanical Transmission, shift force loading rules is researched on the basis of strength and stiffness analyzing of shift fork. The shift mechanism of A-5- speed manual transmission is used as an example to illustrate the simulation, co-relation and validation of the shift fork strength and stiffness. The three-dimensional model of the shift fork is built and the finite element analysis model based on ABAQUS is established. And then, the influence of strength and stiffness of shift fork on the shift force loading rules can be analyzed. The fork tends to deflect with the synchronizer sleeve during synchronization thus acting as a damper and storing energy, the maximum instantaneous force output by driving device under the strength requirement of shift fork is determined. The shift control strategy is corrected according to the stiffness analysis of shift fork. The results shown that, in order to meet the strength requirement of shift fork, the maximum instantaneous force for the 4 gear fork is 1185.5N. In the same time, the maximum deformation on fork legs is 0.617 mm. The research provides a sufficient theoretical basis for formulating the shift control strategy.