Modeling and Simulation of a Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester

The paper presents a lumped parameter model of a vibration energy harvester consisting of a bimorph piezoelectric cantilever with end mass. Stress on the piezoelectric material which is primarily accountable for the generation of electrical energy in the harvester is obtained along the beam length in terms of the end mass displacement. The model is applicable for parallel as well as series connection of the piezoelectric layers, and used to obtain resonant frequency, displacement of end mass and generated voltage across resistive load. Effect of load resistance on the resonant frequency and generated power is studied, and the results are verified with the finite element analysis in COMSOL Multiphysics. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.