The topology optimization method is applied to the design of a vibration-powered, cantilevered Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (PEH) whose base is subject to a vibrating motion. The optimization problem is so formulated as to maximize the Electro-Mecha...
The topology optimization method is applied to the design of a vibration-powered, cantilevered Piezoelectric Energy Harvester (PEH) whose base is subject to a vibrating motion. The optimization problem is so formulated as to maximize the Electro-Mechanical Coupling Coefficient (EMCC) with volume constraints because the EMCC is the key factor affecting electrical power output for a given base input acceleration. Since the present PEH is supposed to operate at either short-circuit or open-circuit resonant frequencies for producing the maximum output power, the resonant frequency is also considered in the topology optimization formulation. In order to investigate the dimensional effects of a PEH on the power output, a number of different combinations of piezoelectric composite beam and tip mass dimensions are considered. The optimized results are presented and findings from this research that can be useful for practical design of PEH’s are summarized.