Transient output performance of symmetrical V-shaped micro-piezoelectric energy harvester by using PZT-5H

Wireless sensors have been developed rapidly, while their energy supply components are relatively backward since the beginning of the twenty-first century. This paper proposes a symmetrical V-shaped micro-piezoelectric energy harvester (SV-MPEH) based on PZT-5H, which is used to supply energy to sensors that detect ambient temperature. Firstly, the finite element model and the electromechanical coupling model are established. Secondly, the SV-MPEH adopts parametric design to ensure steady-state output power. Then, the output performance of the SV-MPEH is simulated when the initial temperature is 373 K under the accelerations of 0.5 g, 1 g, and 1.5 g, respectively. Finally, three sets of steady-state output powers are obtained by using two access methods (Type I and Type II) of piezoelectric components. The simulation results indicate that the output power of the SV-MPEH is nearly 20% higher than that of conventional cantilever harvester under the same simulation parameters. In addition, the power density of the SV-MPEH shows a different upward trend through the two access methods (Type I and Type II) of piezoelectric sheets, and Type I exhibits a higher growth rate than Type II.