Investigation of a nonlinear piezoelectric energy harvester with advanced electric circuits with the finite element method

Abstract In this contribution, a system simulation method based on the finite element (FEM) is applied to simulate strongly coupled bimorph piezoelectric vibration-based energy harvester (PVEH) with various nonlinear, non-ideal and active circuits: The standard circuit, synchronized switch harvesting inductor circuit electric charge extraction are considered. Furthermore, nonlinear elastic behavior of material taken into account harmonic base excitations different magnitudes at fixed frequency applied. holistic FEM-based approach solves complete set equations together equation such that all electromechanical coupling phenomena account. This fully numerical analysis enables detailed evaluation influences circuits vibrational harvested PVEH respect magnitude excitation. Results from literature efficiency confirmed interactions between mechanical electrical nonlinearities PVEHs revealed. Article highlights System simulations mechanically electrically performed using only one software tool. infuence vibration effciency an investigated in detail. Interactions