Design and analytical evaluation of an impact-based four-point bending configuration for piezoelectric energy harvesting

Milad Hasani, Majid Khazaee, John E. Huber, Lasse Rosendahl, Alireza Rezania*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)
49 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Aiming toward improved energy conversion in piezoelectric energy harvesters, this study investigates four-point bending (FPB) energy harvesters (FPB-EH) to explore their prominent features and characteristics. The FPB configuration innovatively extends energy harvesting capabilities relative to conventional cantilever beams. The FPB-EH comprises a composite piezoelectric beam that rests on two supports of a fixed clamp, excited by contact force applied at two contact lines on a moving clamp. A comprehensive analytical electromechanical model for the vibrating energy harvester is presented with unique modeling features, including multi-beam sections and multi-mode-shape functions. Solutions of the analytical model are presented for a wide range of contact force types, including steady-state solutions for harmonic forces, impact forces, periodic and non-periodic arbitrary forces. This comprehensive model progresses the state-of-the-art piezoelectric modeling knowledge and is readily applicable to various energy harvesting configurations. The model is validated against experimental results and finite element analysis. Next, a parametric study was performed to evaluate the effects of various FPB characteristics, including the fixed and moving clamp spans, the waveform, and the period-time of contact force. The results indicate that the FPB configuration can enhance energy conversion efficiency and normalized output energy by factors of over 3 and 6, respectively. Finally, guidance is given for selecting between cantilever and four-point bending configurations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number121461
JournalApplied Energy
Volume347
ISSN0306-2619
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work is supported by a research grant from the Lundbeck, LF-Experiment grant, under grant number R324-2019-1747. Moreover, this research is partially financed by the Independent Research Fund Denmark International Post-doc grant under grant number 1031-00001B, and Danish Cardiovascular Academy, which is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, grant number NNF20SA0067242, and Danish Heart Foundation.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)

Keywords

  • Ambient vibration
  • Energy conversion efficiency
  • Impact excitation
  • Piezoelectric energy harvesting

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