Bandwidth-broadening properties by using a variable width structure in a cantilever-type piezoelectric energy scavenger

摘要

In this paper, we present the simulation and the experimental results for vibration-energy-scavenging performances in a cantilever-type piezoelectric energy scavenger with bandwidth broadening properties by using a variable width structure. Using the measured mechanical damping ratio and electro-mechanical coupling coefficient of the fabricated cantilever-type device, we simulated the output performances and designed a cantilever-type piezoelectric energy scavenger with bandwidth broadening characteristics. A device based on a parallel-bimorph cantilever structure with a proof mass, which was designed to have a natural resonance frequency of about 60 Hz, and the energy-scavenging capability of a piezoelectric single crystal was measured and compared them with the simulated results. The results showed that several tens of ac volts and a few milliwatts of power were achieved under a 0. 1 g _(rms) vibration condition with a 3 Hz bandwidth.