Generating characteristics of hollow-plate-type piezoelectric energy harvesters

The output power of a piezoelectric energy harvester is not enough for it to be used as an electrical power source. Three kinds of harvesters were proposed to improve the output power of the piezoelectric harvester. Square, circle, and hexagon-shaped harvesters were analyzed and were examined under the same conditions. The hollow piezoelectric ceramics were attached to metalplate elastic bodies with the above three shaped. This structure has a merit in that it lessens the stress on the ceramics when vibrations are applied at the center of the elastic body. The power generating characteristics of piezoelectric energy-harvesting devices were simulated using a finite-element program. Based on the analysis results, harvesters were fabricated and examined. The power generating characteristics of the fabricated harvesters were compared with the analysis results.