Miniaturization of vibration energy generators for energy harvesting systems

Autonomous sensor systems do not need cable connections or batteries, but are driven with electrical power converted from energy of the surroundings. Within mechanical machines, e. g. agricultural or construction machines, vibration energy can be used. Vibration energy generators convert the energy of such mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. With means of numerical simulation, using the software COMSOL, in this paper a miniaturized generator is designed and evaluated. Within a small volume of less than three cubic centimeters at vibrations ±2g/45...50Hz an electrical power of 22mW can be generated. The enlarged frequency range of 45...50Hz is achieved using two generators with different resonance frequencies.