Segmented Cantilever and Array Configurations for Wider Frequency Band and Higher Power Generation in Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester

Abstract

This letter reports a piezoelectric vibration energy harvester which energy conversion efficiency is significantly improved by arraying piezoelectric sheets on cantilever beams, and the operation frequency band is widened by applying two-segment cantilever beams. A prototype is developed and tested. In this case, two group piezoelectric arrays are combined on the cantilever beams with the optimum load resistance. The total output power remains above 6.54 mW within the operation frequency band ranges from 27.5 Hz to 37.5 Hz when the generator is under an acceleration of 0.7 g and reaches two power peaks: 20.5 mW at 29.2 Hz and 12.95 mW at 35.4 Hz.