A Dual-Coupled Cantilever-Swinging Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Model

Abstract

In response to the growing need for electric power, there has been substantial growth in research related to the conversion of vibration energy into electricity. In particular, the dynamic characterizations of exciting structures were greatly investigated because it has a significant impact on efficient harvesting. The aim of this paper is to investigate the direction effect of swinging piezoelectric harvester at the structural dynamic characteristics and voltage generation. A simulation of a dual coupled cantilever energy harvesting system (DCEHS) was performed using Ansys finite element analysis, the gained results compared with the older experimental study. The proposed model can be utilized to accurately estimate the dynamic characteristics and voltage generation of swinging piezoelectric (PZT-5A) clamped at a cast iron cantilever. The mode shapes, the natural frequencies, frequency response of the structure, and voltage generation were determined in different directions (i.e., outward direction, centre direction, and inward direction). The results demonstrated the efficiency of voltage generation when the structure resonated beyond 80 Hz and there is a significant increase of voltage realized toward the outward. Finally, the simulated analysis was greatly in line with our prior experimental study.