Energy harvesting from walking vibration using a piezoelectric harvester contacting nonlinear supports

L.  Torfenezhad, R. Tikani and S. Ziaei-Rad

Journal of Theoretical and Applied Vibration and Acoustics, August 2024

ABSTRACT

In recent times, there has been a growing interest in harnessing environmental energy resources, particularly mechanical vibrations, to power low-energy electrical devices like wireless sensors. Among these energy sources, the movement of the human body stands out. This paper delves into the realm of piezoelectric energy harvesting using the mechanical energy generated by foot acceleration during movement. The energy harvesting mechanism revolves around a nonlinear piezoelectric harvester, featuring a cantilever beam equipped with two piezoelectric patches on opposite sides and supported by curved surfaces. To model the foot's motion, we apply measured foot acceleration as a base excitation to the harvester. Subsequently, we develop a finite element model within the Ansys environment, encompassing the entire system comprising the cantilever beam, piezoelectric patches, supports, and electrical resistance. The culmination of our work involves designing, fabricating, and testing a model. The experimental results are then compared with those obtained from the finite element model. Remarkably, a strong correlation is evident between the measured data and the outcomes generated by the finite element analysis.

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