Kinematic study of a road power generator for the port transport network

Abstract

Nowadays, energy-saving applications are based on alternative energy sources that enable autonomous powering of electrical consumers. Within the port transport network, 62% of freight transport is carried by road. One solution for the alternative generation of electrical energy for lighting and power supply of small power consumers is the use of road electromechanical systems such as artificial road bumps with an electromagnetic generator that converts the energy of vehicle movement into electrical energy. This article deals with a road power generator transducer with a slider-rocker kinematic pair for converting translational motion into rotational motion. The authors conducted a kinematic study of the actuating force transducer and analysed its performance at various connecting rod lengths with the required speed and dimensional criteria. They determined the effect of the connecting rod length on the trajectory and speed of the rocker arm. Analysis has shown that a connecting rod length of 100 and 150 mm, providing a working section with a uniform increase in speed of the rocker arm, satisfies the specified requirements. For further investigation of the electromechanical power system, the researchers adopted a 100 mm long connecting rod, as this allows the unit to be realised with reduced dimensions.