Abstract
To scavenge vibration energy from industrial application environments and supply power to wireless sensor networks, this paper proposes an electromagnetic vibration energy harvester (VEH) using an optimized transducer. The VEH consists of a planar spring, an axially magnetized magnet assembly, a coil assembly and an outer casing. An analytical model is proposed to analyze and optimize the electromagnetic transducer and improve its energy harvesting performance. Finite element analysis is then used to verify the model. An optimized prototype is manufactured and fabricated, and finally tested by experiment. The experimental results indicate that an open-circuit voltage of 2.2 V can be achieved when the VEH is excited by the vibration with a resonant frequency of 22.4 Hz and an acceleration amplitude of 100 mg. When the optimal resistor of 200 Ω is connected to the coil assembly, its maximum load power of 0.29 mW can be achieved, which can meet the needs of many industrial sensors as well as wireless communication modules and guarantee their intermittent work at least.
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