Cantilever Beam Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

AbstractWith the application of wireless sensor networks become widespread, supply energy for these wireless sensors proves to be a significant issue. Moreover, for the ambient vibration lies everywhere, the vibration can supply energy for the wireless sensor via energy harvester. The piezoelectric energy harvester becomes the research focus for the simple structure and higher energy conversion efficiency. Due to the transcendental equation in distributed parameter model, the numerical method is become powerful complement for theoretical and experimental method. This paper uses ANSYS to analyze the single piezoelectric cantilever in static analysis, model analysis, harmonic response analysis and mechanical-electrical coupling analysis. It analyzes the natural frequency and voltage effect from four aspects which are length to thickness ratio, length to width ratio, the substrate thickness to piezoelectric thickness ratio and seismic mass. Test and measurement for piezoelectric energy harvester is conduct on the testing platform. Macro cantilever beam piezoelectric energy harvester are tested and measured.