Energy harvester using PZT actuator with a cantilver

This paper presents an energy harvesting technique using the piezoelectric element that is a kind of generator which converts the mechanical energy to the electric one. In this study, low frequency characteristics of the cantilever-type piezoelectric actuator were experimentally investigated. Advantages of the cantilever use are to take a very large displacement and to improve the endurance of the PZT element. Four kinds of cantilever which sizes are 150[mm]times20[mm]times1.5[mm], 170[mm]times20[mm]times1.5[mm], 190[mm]times20[mm]times1.5[mm], 210[mm]times20[mm]times1.5[mm] and the material of cantilever is an aluminum were experimented, respectively. The cantilever with a bimorph type PZT actuator was fixed on the vibrator. The characteristics of frequency and mass variation of cantilever end part such as 0[g], 2.22[g], 4.34[g], 5.87[g], 8.66[g], 11.01[g] were investigated.