Non-resonant energy harvesting devices and methods

摘要

Disclosed is an energy harvesting device which can produce electrical power from vibrational energy over a wide range of frequencies. The energy harvester includes a housing having opposing slots. A bendable substrate is at least partially positioned within the housing and at least partially extends through the opposing housing slots. A piezoelectric element is positioned on the bendable substrate and a weight cooperates with the bendable substrate. A stopper is positioned on each end of the bendable substrate that extends outside the housing; the stoppers are configured to maintain a portion of the bendable substrate within the housing such that the bendable substrate is freely movable within the housing. Vibrational energy causes collisions between the bendable substrate and the housing such that the forces on the piezoelectric element generate power.