Optimum Piezoelectric Bending Beam Structures for Energy Harvesting Using Shoe Inserts

The small amount of power demanded by many present-day electronic devices, opens the possibility to convert part of the energy present in the environment into electrical energy, using several methods. One of such methods is to use piezoelectric film bending beams inside the shoe, and use part of the mechanical energy employed during normal walking activity. This work analyzes several bending beam structures suitable for the goal application (shoe inserts and walking-type excitation) and obtains the resulting strain for each type in function of their geometrical parameters and material properties. As a result, the optimum configuration can be selected. Key Word — energy harvesting, piezoelectric films, bending beams, maximum deflection, power generation.