Energy conversion from suspension system

Abstract

Energy harnessing is the process by which energy is derived from external sources such as solar power, thermal energy, wind energy, kinetic energy, captured and stored for small devices uses. The ambient energy that can be harnessed to generate electricity comes from a wide range of sources but vibration energy shows a promising amount of power generation. In this study, conversion of mechanical vibration into electricity using piezoelectric vibration-to-electricity converter is undertaken with a focus to quantify the amount of power that can be generated and identify electronic devices that can fully utilize this power. The research is divided into two parts, which are simulation from the car suspension data and experimental investigations. An analytical study of the mathematical models of the piezoelectric vibration-to-electricity converter has been conducted and simulations of these models have been developed within Matlab-SIMULINK. The analysis of the harnessing energy from micro-vibration reported in this study will provide useful information for the development of alternative source of energy in the future. The energy collected in this study is an electrical power. The electrical power generated is depend on the length of stroke, which are the length of displacement of vibration. The power generated is also depend on the frequency of vibration. This study shows a result which is the power collected from suspension system.