Design and Simulation of MEMS Based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesting System

M. C. B. Kumar[1], D. B. Prabhu[1], R. Akila[1], A. Gupta[1], M. Alagappan[1]
[1]PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil nadu, India
Published in 2012

This paper discusses the simulation studies on a vibration based energy harvesting system to convert the undesirable mechanical vibration to useful green power. The design consists of a resonating proof mass and a spring system enclosed in housing and fixed on the source of vibration. A piezoelectric suspension acts as the transducer and generates a voltage that is used to charge the batteries of the portable device after suitable signal conditioning. The device dimensions are in the millimeter range and can be attached with an adhesive to the source of vibration. The device is designed and analyzed by simulation in COMSOL Multiphysics 4.2a to arrive at an optimal geometry and tuned parameter for maximum efficiency of conversion.