A comparative study on the mechatronic and electronic self-powered synchronized switch interfaces for piezoelectric energy harvesting systems

Abstract

By scavenging the vibration energy from the ambience, the piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) technology provides one of the most promising solutions towards the everlasting power supplies for distributed wireless sensors. Given the capacitive characteristics of the piezoelectric devices, synchronized switch interface circuits, such as the synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI), have been developed towards the harvested power enhancement. The self-powered sensing and control issue is essential for implementing these circuit innovations in practical applications. This paper provides a comparative study on the recently proposed mechatronic self-powered SSHI (MSP-SSHI) and the existing electronic self-powered SSHI (ESP-SSHI). The MSP-SSHI uses a single-pole double-throw switch to simultaneously perform the sensing and switching functions in the SSHI interface. It can reduce the switching threshold and energy losses caused in the semiconductors of the electronic solution, and no need to care about the high-voltage breakdown problems in the ESP-SSHI. On the other hand, the distance between the pole and throws will introduce certain switching phase difference under the larger range of excitation. A piecewise linear model of the MSP-SSHI is built to analyze the switching phase difference. It was found that the damping ratio and stiffness in the mechanical switch can significantly influence the switching phase difference. Simulations show that well-designed damping ratio and stiffness can help the MSP-SSHI maintain smaller switching phase difference, and therefore improve the output power.