Multiple spring-mass oscillator for wide bandwidth piezoelectric energy harvester

Abstract

This work proposed a design of unique wideband piezoelectric energy harvester. The solution toward broadband response was achieved by using multiple spring-mass oscillators integrated with piezoelectric energy harvester array. The harvester was demonstrated to harvest continuous power from vibration source under various frequencies in the range of 0-250 Hz. It is shown that the stable output power of the harvester over a wide range of source frequency was achieved. The maximum output voltage and power of each beam were 4, 3.6, 9.8, 10 V and 0.01, 0.07, 0.45, 0.52 mW for 15, 30, 45 gm of the proof masses and the superimposed case, respectively. The resonant frequencies of the harvester were in the low ambient vibration frequency range. Expanded in resonance frequency was achieved in this new design harvester.