Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2017) 132: 233
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2017-11502-1

Regular Article

Design and fabrication of an energy-harvesting device using vibration absorber

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran

^* e-mail: hr.heidari@malayeru.ac.ir

Received: 9 December 2016
Accepted: 19 April 2017
Published online: 25 May 2017

Abstract

Energy-harvesting devices collect energy that is being wasted and convert to the electrical energy. For this reason, this type of devices is considered as a convenient alternative to traditional batteries. In this paper, experimental examinations were performed to investigate the application of harvesting device for the reduction of the vibration amplitude in a vibration system and also increase the efficiency of energy-harvesting device. This study focuses on the energy-harvesting device as both producing electrical device and a vibration disabled absorber. In this regard, a motion-based energy-harvesting device is designed to produce electrical energy and also eliminate vibrations of a two joint-end beam which is located under the harmonic excitation force. Then, the governing equations of the forced motion on the main beam are derived and energy-harvesting system are simulated. In addition, the system designed by MATLAB simulation is explained and its results are expressed. Finally, a prototype of the system was made and the ability of the energy-harvesting device to absorb the original system vibrations, as well as parameters impact on the efficiency of energy harvesting is investigated. Experimental results show that the energy-harvesting device, in addition to producing electric current with a maximum value of 1.5V, reduces 94% of the original system vibrations.