An investigation on self-powered semi-active vibration isolation system with adjustable stiffness

The semi-active vibration isolator (SAVI) has the characteristics of dynamic adjustable stiffness and damping, which can achieve high-efficient broadband vibration isolation. However, the issue of the energy supply constraints on its application in engineering. A novel self-powered semi-active vibration isolator (SPSAVI) with adjustable stiffness is proposed to achieve vibration reduction and energy harvesting. The piezoelectric materials are adhered onto the buckling beam structure to gather the electrical energy generated by vibration, which can supply the energy demand of the piezoelectric actuator for achieving the self-supply capability. An electromechanical coupling dynamic model of the SPSAVI is established under Newton’s second law. The vibration reduction and self-powered effect of the SPSAVI are analyzed by the harmonic balance method. The results indicate that the SPSAVI can effectively improve the vibration isolation performance and achieve the self-powered effect. When the external excitation is 0.65g in which g is the gravity acceleration, the SPSAVI can achieve a stable self-powered effect.