Modeling and Parametric Investigation of Vibration Energy Harvesting using Bimorph Piezoelectric Beam with a Tip Mass

The development of self, low-power, and wireless electronic devices or systems has led to a strong interest in the field of energy harvesting and the development of mini generators. To power small electronic devices, energy is harvested from ambient energy sources using piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) materials. For this purpose, parametric investigation of a bimorph morph beam with a tip mass at the free end was performed using the Simscape model. Due to the excitation of the external sinusoidal force, the beam deforms and becomes polarized. An electric circuit was used to extract the voltage to power small electronic devices (SEDs), or it can also be stored in a battery for later utilization. First, a beam of six different PEMs was studied, and found that PZT-5A has the highest output voltage. Then the PZT-5A was further investigated to see the effect of length, width, thickness of PEM, tip mass, and frequency of excitation force on the output voltage generation. The results show that the length, width, excitation frequency, and amplitude of the excitation force, tip mass, and thinner PEM can increase output voltage generation. Energy harvesting is one of the basic desires for the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G to power sensors, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and other small electronic devices.