A dual-function system integrating kinetic energy harvesting and passenger sensing for urban subway

Abstract

In order to achieve intelligent operation of subway transportation, this paper proposed a dual-function system integrating human kinetic energy harvesting and passenger sensing for self-powered subway pedestrian flow diversion. The proposed dual-function system mainly includes the energy harvesting module, the data acquisition and processing module, and the information transmission module. The most important module is the energy harvesting subsystem, which is a pacemaker for the dual-function system to work successfully. Therefore, this paper focuses on the structure, dynamics, electricity, and parameter analysis of the energy harvesting module. First, mechanical motion rectifier-based vibration energy harvester (MMR-based VEH) is designed to scavenging the stepping energy of passengers. Secondly, the parameter analysis of the proposed MMR-based VEH is carried out. Finally, the prototype of the dual-function system is fabricated to test the energy output and passenger sensing performance. The results showed that the dual-function system can output a voltage of up to 18.5V and a power of approximately 1.8W. Simultaneously, the proposed dual-function system can accurately sense the human step and calculate the number of passenger.