Energy Harvesting From Bike Using Linear DC Motor

Abstract

This paper investigates the application of a proposed energy harvesting mechanism to convert the vibrations in a bicycle tire to electricity. For this setting all tire spokes have been removed and two spring-damper links and one linear DC motor are used instead. The vibration analysis of the tire’s center of mass caused by bicycle motion is obtained using trigonometric relations. Moreover, the regenerated power by the linear motor is obtained analytically. This model together with the motion of the center of the mass of the tire are used to estimate the harvested power. The mechanical and electrical parameters are also optimized to harvest the maximize the power. Simulation results show the efficiency of proposed energy harvesting mechanism.